The Basics of Understanding
Nutrition
Chapter 1
Introduction
Nutrition - the study of foods, their
components, & their interactions
 The evolution of nutrition science
 Manufacturers & media

Health fraud
 Quackery

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)

The Nutrients in Foods
Vitamins
 Minerals
 Water

Nutrition & Health Promotion
Malnutrition
 Overnutrition
 Degenerative diseases
 Effects of diet & lifestyle on length &
quality of life
 “Eating to beat the odds” - Table 1-4

Eating Pattern for Longevity
Healthy habits of the Okinawans
 Enough is enough
 Moderation & a healthful lifestyle are key
cultural values
 Psychological & spiritual health matters

A National Agenda for Improving
Nutrition & Health

Healthy People 2010

Objectives related to
Disease
 Nutrition
 Food safety

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Lackluster progress towards goals
Understanding Our Food
Choices
Hunger vs. appetite
 Availability
 Income, food prices, & convenience
 Advertising & the media
 Social & cultural factors
 Personal values or beliefs

Understanding Our Food
Choices

Other factors that affect our food choices
Innate preferences
 Associations/aversions
 Stress/emotions

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

Good & Fast--A Guide to Eating
on the Run
Don’t 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

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 lowcalorie choices

How Do You Tell if It’s Nutrition Fact
or Nutrition Fiction?
Reasons for contradictory findings
presented by the media
 Identifying sources of credible nutrition
information

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Scientific studies
Implications of the First Amendment
How Do You Tell if It’s Nutrition Fact
or Nutrition Fiction?

Determining whether Internet information
is reliable
Credibility
 Accuracy
 Reasonableness
 Support


False advertising is illegal
How Do You Tell if It’s Nutrition Fact
or Nutrition Fiction?

“Red flags” for bogus products

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Anti-establishment
Testimonials & anecdotes
Computerized questionnaires
Claim of “easy” weight loss
“Secret formula”
Only available via non-scientific magazine, mail
order, infomercial, etc.
How Do You Tell if It’s Nutrition Fact
or Nutrition Fiction?

Identifying legitimate nutritionists
 Checking a nutritionist’s credentials


Registered dietitian (RD)
Dietetic technician, registered (DTR)