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1.1: Introduction

  • Page ID
    80482
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    1: What is Good Nutrition?

    Learning Objectives
    1. For each category of the “Dimensions of Wellness,” give an example of how food and nutrition intake is impacted.
    2. Compare the terms nutrition, nutrient, essential nutrient, and diet.
    3. Identify the six classes of nutrients by size (how measured) and state the energy content (if applicable).
    4. Compare and give examples of the terms macronutrient and micronutrient in human nutrition.
    5. Distinguish between nutritional research and advice.
    6. Locate and interpret credible sources of nutrition information.
    7. Evaluate the validity of nutritional claims made in advertisements.

    To understand good nutrition, it is important to understand why we eat the foods we eat and what is in them. In this chapter, you will learn how the dimensions of wellness affect food choices, and you will learn what is in the foods we eat. Another important aspect of this class is interpreting nutrition information.  Nutrition is a science, but it can be a field that is filled with claims. For example, you may see headlines that say coffee is good for you, whereas  other sources suggest you should limit your coffee intake. How can you interpret this conflicting information? This chapter will help you distinguish between nutritional research and advice so you can evaluate claims in the field of nutrition. 

    Cover art: "Top view vegetables, herbs and spices around a white plate. Healthy eating concept(opens in new window)" by wuestenigel is licensed under CC BY 2.0.


    This page titled 1.1: Introduction is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Jan Dowell and Erin Shanle (Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI)) .