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Course Description

This course is designed to provide a broad overview of the science of human nutrition. Nutrition is an applied life science that integrates scientific principles across a variety of disciplines and in society. Using applied problem solving and data analysis, students will explore nutritional balance and disease prevention in the context of the levels of organization, metabolism and homeostasis, genetics and evolution, and ecological interactions.

Option #1. Nutrition Perspectives

Discover different ways of approaching nutrition, how it impacts our daily lives and what choices we can make to improve our health and our world.

• Demonstrate knowledge of human nutritional needs and the role of nutrition in improving individual health and the societal economic impact of food choices.                                                                                                                                                                 Humans need good nutrition. We function better all around if we have nutritional needs met. If your taking care of your body you're more energized and  accomplishments are done. As someone who works in the medical field I have seen what poor nutrition does, and it can make you a burden to society. However, the main issue being many do not see the effects because poor nutrition effects are slow. 
• Relate technological advancements in medicine and food production to the advancement of the science of human nutrition.    When you think of good nutrition you think salads every day. However, good nutrition is more about getting the essential nutrients you need. For example, lets say you are constipated and you go to the doctor they may recommend miralax, but will also suggest to consume foods with fiber. Food high in fiber can be found in beans, oatmeal, or popcorn. Nutrition is not just about eating healthy, but giving your body what it needs. Science is starting to realize your body does not need a quick fix, but certain nutrients are needed.
• Explain the impact that the food industry has on human food choices and the subsequent relationship to health and disease at the individual, societal, and environmental level.                                                                                                                                         The food industry has impacted humans greatly in may ways. Fast food being the biggest impact, yes it makes getting dinner convenient, but the food is lacking in nutrients. In result, of  food lacking of nutrients in fast food you will still be hungry and eat more causing weight gain. Despite, maybe eating fast food and watching calories you still will lack nutrients and in the long run can lead to disease. Continuing, due to disease it will affect society such as going to the doctor, health insurance, and needed medication. The best choice is eating a balanced diet.
• Provide examples of past and present nutrient and diet trends in modern society and the positive and/or negative implications on human health and the earth’s resources.                                                                                                                                                 A past diet trend I recall was the juice cleanse my mother did it when I was younger. Essentially, you do not eat anything for 3 days, but this juice. The juice consisted of hot water, lemon, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. Additionally it was done to cleanse your system. The positive would you would lose weight. On the other hand, the negative implications could be that you will over eat, for going with out food for so long. A current trend would be going vegan. Veganism is not eating anything from animals. Essentially many whom are vegan are against the inhumane way we treat animals for food. In addition, due to the slaughter homes it also has a lot to do with pollution. Vegan in a way is a protest against food industries to become more humane. Although, everyone may have there own personal ways for going vegan some do it to lose weight. If done correctly veganism is still great to get proper nutrients if not you will lack nutrients. 
• Provide examples of positive and negative interactions of humankind with microorganisms regarding sickness, health and food production.                                                                                                                                                                                                    An excellent positive example of an interaction between humans and microorganisms would be such as bacteria in yogurt. Yogurt naturally contains lots of pro-biotic cultures that strengthen the digestive tract. Adding, some Greek yogurt also boasts added probiotics like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei that may help increase the good bacteria in your gut. A negative example would be salmonella which is a bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract. Usually we come into contact with food that have high risk like under cooked meat, raw eggs, or unpasteurized milk. We can avoid salmonella also by storing food correctly such as in a cool area as well as washing cutting board and knife properly.
• Address diet and nutrient issues and concerns for weight control, disease prevention, physical activity, food availability, and biotechnology.                                                                                                                                                                                                    
• In America we have a health crisis due to obesity. The biggest reason due to obesity in America is in result of fast food. Fast food is convenient and many say cheaper. I believe cooking is just as expensive or even less if you think portion size when compared to fast food. Adding, when you eat bad you do not want to be active. So, you end up gaining weight. Unfortunately obesity is not sudden, so it will just sneak up on many people. 
• Disease prevention is harder once you get older and are already on the path. We can only keep educating the young as more information comes out. In regards to Biotechnology, it will aid in underdeveloped countries to increase chances of thriving. As well as, make food resistant to global warming which will aid the entire globe. 
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Reflection

1. Make connections between what you studied in this nutrition course with what you’ve learned in other courses at SLCC or before. Make specific references to your work in this class and in the other courses. How did what you learn in the other courses enhance what you learned in nutrition, and vice versa?                                                                                                               I learned a lot of useful information from this class. It aided me in making connections with my Kickboxing and Zumba class, a lot of the modules lined up well together. Nutrition and exercise go hand and hand. I can have good nutrition, but I still need exercise and vice versa. When I think of Kickboxing I remember being told to make sure you eat a breakfast or if your cramping eat bananas, thus enforcing my body needs specific nutrients in order to perform properly. This class really helped me understand that my body requires certain nutrients to work properly.
2. Reflect on how you thought about nutrition before you took this course and how you think about it now that the course is over. Have any of your assumptions or understandings changed? Why? What assignments/activities/readings were influential in this process? How will you approach (course topic) differently in the future?                                                                                     Prior to this course I thought I understood nutrition. I always thought I needed to eat salad all the time, and eat fast food moderately. Adding, I really thought I knew what was good and bad. It really all comes to eating a balanced meal and sometimes yes cheese is fine. Overall, preparing your own food, eating whole grains, fresh veggies, and fresh fruits is all I need. In the future I plan to be a lot smarter as far as what I eat. I do not always need to eat just a salad. I always focused on calories rather than nutrients. I plan going forward to get foods with nutritional value.