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Chapter 1
What Is Nutrition?
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Why do you eat what you eat?
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What Is Nutrition?
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The science that studies how nutrients and compounds in
foods nourish the body and affect body functions and
overall health
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The study of the relationships between food and health
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Exploration of how food is:
• Digested
• Absorbed
• Transported
• Metabolized
• Used or stored in the body
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What Are Nutrients?
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Compounds in foods that sustain body processes
• Provide Energy
• Provide Structure
• Help Regulate Body Processes
Six classes of nutrients that are found in foods
• Carbohydrates
• Fats (lipids)
• Proteins
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Water
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Functions of Nutrients
Figure 1.3
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Table 1.1
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Discussion Topic:

Describe several dietary changes that can improve the
American diet.
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Suggestions to Improve the American
Diet*:
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Reduce excess Calories
Increase intake of fruits – at least 2/day
Increase intake of vegetables - at least 3/day
Increase grain consumption – at least 6 ounces/day, half
whole grains
*Healthy People 2010
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Diet = What We Eat

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We eat foods, not nutrients
Foods are complex mixtures of nutrients and non-nutrients
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Steps of the
Scientific
Method
A process used by
scientist to gather
and test information
for the sake of
generating sound
research findings
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Types of Research or Evidence:

Anecdotal evidence – One person’s experience with a set of
circumstances

Observational or Epidemiological research – observation of
correlated incidents in a population which can suggest an
hypothesis for further study.

Experimental – involves 2 or more groups of subjects and
is designed to test the validity of an hypothesis.
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Observational Research:
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Controlled
Scientific
Experiments
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Figure 1.6
What Is Nutritional Genomics?

Study of the relationship between genes, gene expression,
nutrition, and health
• Study of whether nutrients directly or indirectly alter
gene expression or structure
• Study of the effects of genetic variations on the
interaction between diet and health

Potential to provide personalized dietary
recommendations based on genetic makeup rather than
population based recommendations
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Who Is the Nutrition Professional?

Registered Dietitian (RD)
• A health professional who is a food and nutrition expert
• RDs:
- Obtain a college degree in nutrition from an Academy
of Nutrition and Dietetics accredited program
- Complete an internship or pre-professional experience
- Pass an exam to become a Registered Dietitian
- Complete required continuing education
- Maintain ethical standards of practice
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R.D., L.D., Nutritionist, or Quack?
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Registered Dietitian is trained in medical nutrition therapy
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Licensed Dietitian is similar to Registered Dietitian but
regulated by the state.

Nutritionist is a generic term with no recognized legal or
professional meaning in most states. Ask for credentials.

Quack
• Introduces health fears
• Sells services or products to allay fears
• Makes unrealistic promises or guarantees
What messages should you be leery of?
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Evaluating Nutrition Information on the
Internet
National Institutes of Health (NIH) 10 Questions to
consider when viewing a health-related website
1. Who runs the site?
2. Who pays for the site?
3. What is the purpose of the site?
4. Where does the information come from?
5. What is the basis of the information?
Continued…
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Evaluating Nutrition Information on the
Internet
6.
7.
8.
9.
How is the information selected?
How current is the information?
How does the site choose links to other sites?
What information does the site collect about you and
why?
10. How does the site manage interactions with visitors?
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