Question: Dietitian: Many diet-conscious consumers are excited about new “fake fat” products designed to give food the flavor and consistency of fatty foods, yet without fat’s harmful effects. Consumers who expect the new fat substitute to help them lose weight arc likely to be disappointed, however. Research has shown that when people knowingly or unknowingly eat foods containing “fake fat,” they tend to take in at least as many additional calories as are saved by eating “fake fat.”

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the conclusion of the dietitian’s argument?

(A) People tend to take in a certain number of daily calories, no matter what types of food they eat
(B) Most consumers who think that foods with “fake fat” are more nutritious than fatty foods are destined to be disappointed.
(C) “Fake fat” products are likely to contribute to obesity more than do other foods.
(D) “Fake fat” in foods is probably not going to help consumers meet weight loss goals.
(E) “Fake fat” in foods is indistinguishable from genuine fat by most consumers on the basis of taste alone.

Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: Dietitian: New "fake fat" products, intended to give food the flavor and consistency of fatty foods without the harmful effects of fat, have piqued the interest of many diet-conscious consumers. However, customers who anticipate that the new fat substitute will aid in weight loss are likely to be dissatisfied. According to research, whether intentionally or unintentionally, people tend to consume at least as many extra calories as they do when eating foods with "fake fat."

The question asks for an answer that best expresses the conclusion given by the dietitian in his argument. Analyzing each option separately will help in determining the right choice.

Option – D : Correct
This option states that foods containing "fake fat" are unlikely to aid consumers in achieving their weight loss objectives. This is simply restating the conclusion and as a result, this is the correct answer.

Option – A : Incorrect
This option states that no matter what kind of food they eat, people typically consume a certain number of calories per day. The option reads "take in a certain number of daily calories," whereas the premise reads "they tend to take in at least as many additional calories." A specific quantity = at least? or a specific quantity = at most? a particular number = average? Nothing is known. As a result, this option is eliminated.

Option – B : Incorrect
This option states that the majority of consumers who believe that "fake fat" foods are healthier than fatty foods are destined to disappointment. The conclusion states that customers who anticipate the new fat substitute to aid in weight loss are likely to be dissatisfied. “Likely” does not mean “destined”. As a result, this option is eliminated.

Option – C : Incorrect
This option states that products with "fake fat" are more likely to cause obesity than other foods. The premise does not contain any evidence to back this up. As a result, this option is eliminated.

Option – E : Incorrect
This option states that most consumers cannot tell "fake fat" in food apart from real fat based solely on taste. This is out of scope because the main issue is not one of taste. As a result, this option is eliminated.

From the explanations given above, it is clear that the fourth option is the right answer.

“Dietitian: Many diet-conscious consumers are excited about new” - is a GMAT question about critical thinking. A candidate may choose to either find evidence that would undermine the argument or present an argument that is illogical in order to respond to the question. The GMAT critical reasoning gauges a candidate's aptitude for logic and analysis. Candidates must identify the argument's advantages and disadvantages as well as its logical flaws for this topic. Out of the 36 GMAT verbal questions, 10–13 critical reasoning questions are found.

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