The Basics of Understanding Nutrition

1
The Basics of Understanding Nutrition

• Chapter 1

2
Introduction

• Nutrition - the study of foods, their components,
  their interactions
• The evolution of nutrition science
• Manufacturers media
• Health fraud
• Quackery

3
The Nutrients in Foods

• The energy-yielding nutrients
• Carbohydrate (4 cal/g)
• Protein (4 cal/g)
• Fat (9 cal/g)
• Alcohol (7 cal/g not a nutrient)

4
The Nutrients in Foods

• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Water

5
Nutrition Health Promotion

• Malnutrition
• Overnutrition
• Degenerative diseases
• Effects of diet lifestyle on length quality
  of life
• Eating to beat the odds - Table 1-4

6
Eating Pattern for Longevity

• Healthy habits of the Okinawans
• Enough is enough
• Moderation a healthful lifestyle are key
  cultural values
• Psychological spiritual health matters

7
A National Agenda for Improving Nutrition Health

• Healthy People 2010
• Objectives related to
• Disease
• Nutrition
• Food safety
• Lackluster progress towards goals

8
Understanding Our Food Choices

• Hunger vs. appetite
• Availability
• Income, food prices, convenience
• Advertising the media
• Social cultural factors
• Personal values or beliefs

9
Understanding Our Food Choices

• Other factors that affect our food choices
• Innate preferences
• Associations/aversions
• Stress/emotions

10
You Can Afford to Eat Nutritious Foods

• Tips for supermarketing
• Buy local in season
• Shop from a list
• Read food labels
• Notice sell by best if used by dates
• Shop the perimeter of the grocery store

11
Good Fast--A Guide to Eating on the Run

• Dont supersize
• Think grilled, not fried
• Hold the mayo
• Avoid all-you-can-eat restaurants
• Just say no
• Balance fast-food meals with other food choices
  during the day

12
Good Fast--A Guide to Eating on the Run

• Split your order--share with a friend
• Bring your lunch
• Choose grab-and-go foods
• If all else fails, go for the obvious low-calorie
  choices

13
How Do You Tell if Its Nutrition Fact or
Nutrition Fiction?

• Reasons for contradictory findings presented by
  the media
• Identifying sources of credible nutrition
  information
• Scientific studies
• Implications of the First Amendment

14
How Do You Tell if Its Nutrition Fact or
Nutrition Fiction?

• Determining whether Internet information is
  reliable
• Credibility
• Accuracy
• Reasonableness
• Support
• False advertising is illegal

15
How Do You Tell if Its Nutrition Fact or
Nutrition Fiction?

• Red flags for bogus products
• Anti-establishment
• Testimonials anecdotes
• Computerized questionnaires
• Claim of easy weight loss
• Secret formula
• Only available via non-scientific magazine, mail
  order, infomercial, etc.

16
How Do You Tell if Its Nutrition Fact or
Nutrition Fiction?

• Identifying legitimate nutritionists
• Checking a nutritionists credentials
• Registered dietitian (RD)
• Dietetic technician, registered (DTR)