Why study nutrition?  Knowledge is power!  The more knowledge you have of nutrition, the more power you have over your own longevity.  Longevity should also focus on both quality and quantity of life.  No one wants to live to be a 110 years old, if you are ill and bedbound for the last 15 years of your life.

When you leave this course, you will have a firm foundation of nutrition as a dynamic and complex science.  You will also have a clear understanding of how nutrition contributes to health status. Throughout the life cycle nutrition plays a vital role in growth and development. 

While there are several different health professionals taking this course, the goal of any healthcare provider is to give their patients/clients the very best experience.  Of particular importance is to focus on reducing pain, disease, and illness and restoring health, vitality and well-being.  As you become a professional, you will possess that power!

While we are experiencing an unprecedented health epidemic in the form of the novel coronavirus, the epidemic of obesity has long plagued our country (and the world).  Throughout the entirely of human history until the late twentieth century, undernutrition or nutritional deficiency was the primary nutrition problem. This is not necessarily the case now, as the types of foods that Americans consume have changed since the early 20th century. Today, many Americans eat more refined foods and participate in less physical activity.  Also, a lack of fresh and whole foods (especially fruits and vegetables) have led to “starving” our bodies of nutrients essential to grow, develop, and stave off disease.

Although nutrition is a science with physiological implications, eating is a social behavior.  Our culture and our genetics act together to make us like some foods and dislike others. Improper nutrition can lead to the development certain diseases like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer.  We do not make every day food choices with all of this in mind, though.  We make food choices based on a myriad of factors, including culture, socioeconomic status, hunger, appetite, taste, availability, access, education, cooking skills and time.

“Health is wealth”.  If you are unhealthy, little else matters.  Great nutrition can help.  It is not about being perfect, or focusing all of your time and energy obsessing about what you eat.  Rather, nutrition education is about arming yourself with the tools necessary to make informed decisions, enjoy what you eat, and ultimately flourish!