Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

For a person looking to increase thiamine intake, which food would least likely help achieve this?

1. Whole grains

2. Green leafy vegetables

3. Legumes

4. Tomatoes

The correct answer is: Tomatoes

Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is an essential nutrient that plays a critical role in energy metabolism and nerve function. Foods that are particularly rich in thiamine include whole grains, legumes, and certain seeds and nuts. Whole grains provide a significant source of thiamine due to their unrefined nature, which preserves the nutrient during processing. Legumes, such as beans and lentils, are also known for their high thiamine content and are an excellent source of this vitamin. Green leafy vegetables do contain thiamine, but they are not among the foods highest in this nutrient. They provide a variety of nutrients, including vitamins A, C, K, and folate, but thiamine is present in much smaller amounts compared to other food groups. Tomatoes, while nutritious and part of a healthy diet, contain minimal amounts of thiamine. Therefore, among the provided options for increasing thiamine intake, tomatoes would least likely help achieve this goal since their thiamine content is considerably lower compared to whole grains, legumes, and even green leafy vegetables. This makes them the least effective choice if the objective is to boost thiamine levels in the diet.