A mixture of feedstuffs used to supply nutrients to an animal is known as which of the following?

• A. Diet
• B. Ration
• C. Feed
• D. Meal

Answer: (A)

In nutrition, the term diet refers to the mix of ingredients chosen to meet an animal’s nutrient needs—the overall composition and quality of the feed plan, not just how much is given. A diet focuses on the blend of feedstuffs that provides energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals in the right balance. A ration, on the other hand, is about the amount of feed provided over a period, which is a quantity issue rather than composition. Feed is the general material fed to animals, and meal is a ground form of feed. So the mixture designed to supply nutrients is best described as the diet.