LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the nutritionist's statements? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Most Strongly supported question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The passage discusses the doubts surrounding the idea that simple carbohydrates can be a reasonable caloric replacement for fatty foods in low-fat diets. The nutritionist mentions new studies showing that for many people, a high intake of simple carbohydrates leads to overproduction of insulin, which processes sugars and starches to create energy or store the by-products as fat when energy is not required.

The question type is Most Strongly Supported (MSS), asking us to identify which answer choice is most strongly supported by the nutritionist's statements.

Let's analyze each answer choice:

a) This choice suggests that people on low-fat diets should avoid consumption of simple carbohydrates to maintain their body's required energy. However, the passage doesn't provide enough information to support this idea, as it focuses on the overproduction of insulin and storing by-products as fat, not on maintaining energy levels.

b) This choice implies that people who produce enough insulin to process their intake of simple carbohydrates shouldn't feel compelled to adopt low-fat diets. The passage doesn't provide sufficient information to support this claim, as it's focused on the doubts surrounding simple carbohydrates as a caloric replacement in low-fat diets.

c) This choice states that people who consume simple carbohydrates should limit their intake of foods high in fat. While it may seem reasonable, it makes an assumption that gaining fat is undesirable. The passage focuses on the doubts about simple carbohydrates as a caloric replacement in low-fat diets, not on avoiding fat intake in general.

d) This choice suggests that people who wish to avoid gaining body fat should limit their intake of foods high in simple carbohydrates. This is the correct answer because it aligns with the passage's focus on the doubts surrounding simple carbohydrates as a caloric replacement in low-fat diets and the overproduction of insulin leading to the storage of by-products as fat.

e) This choice claims that people who don't produce excessive insulin when consuming foods high in simple carbohydrates won't lose weight if they restrict only their intake of these foods. The passage doesn't provide enough information to support this claim, as it focuses on the doubts surrounding simple carbohydrates as a caloric replacement in low-fat diets and the overproduction of insulin.

In summary, answer choice D is the most strongly supported by the nutritionist's statements, as it aligns with the passage's focus on the doubts about simple carbohydrates as a caloric replacement in low-fat diets and the overproduction of insulin leading to the storage of by-products as fat.