Accredited Level 3 Diet + Nutrition Diploma
Embracing a healthy lifestyle has become increasingly popular, and in this course, we delve into the importance of maintaining a balanced diet coupled with regular exercise for optimal health.
We start by defining and gaining a deeper understanding of diet and nutrition. Before delving into the specifics of what our bodies require, it’s crucial to comprehend how we process food, manage weight, build muscle, and generate energy to sustain essential bodily functions. These functions encompass everything from basic movements to vital processes like circulation, respiration, and growth.
The course also explores strategies for maintaining good health and provides insights into the types and quantities of foods necessary for a balanced diet. Practical activities are incorporated into the lessons, allowing students to apply their newfound knowledge in everyday settings, even within the comfort of their own homes.
This course is thoughtfully structured into ten manageable units, each exploring key aspects of the field.
Accredited Level 3 Diet + Nutrition Diploma Entry Requirement
Entry to this Accredited Level 3 Diet + Nutrition Diploma requires that potential students must be aged 16 and have gained GCSE/IGCSE or equivalent qualifications and have, good English oral, reading and writing skills.
Advice on enrolment and guidance of prior learning (APL) can be obtained through our contact centre. The course is a rolling programme and can be started at any point in the year. Successful students can go on to Higher Education.
Assessment
The coursework is assessed through continuous assessment with no formal exit examinations.
Study Hours
Approximately: 200 hours of personal study time for the entire course is recommended. All of this is supported by our course Tutor, who greatly encourages students to access support throughout their course.
Accredited Level 3 Diet + Nutrition Diploma Course Length
1 Year.
Awarding Body
AccordAI
Additional Recommended Text:
Nutrition, Health and Sport by Tutor Argon
Progression
This Accredited Level 3 Diet + Nutrition Diploma can be used to gain entry to a Level 4 Diploma or higher.
Course Content
Module 1 – The Digestive system
The initial module delves into our body’s digestion of food and water, stressing the importance of comprehending this process. It elucidates how certain foods, such as cellulose, are incompletely digested. Through exploring the complexities of the digestive system, students grasp how its various components function before delving into specific dietary and nutritional topics.
This module underscores the significance of each aspect of the digestive system, elucidating the path food follows from ingestion to absorption into our tissues and cells. By grasping nutrition, hunger signals, and the body’s dietary requirements, students establish a foundation for exploring broader diet and nutrition concepts.
Module 2 – Dietary Nutrients
This module provides an introduction to essential nutrition concepts and the nutrients necessary for our bodies. It delves into key dietary components like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water, elucidating their roles in our health. Moreover, it explores concepts such as “Energy Balance,” “Body Mass Index,” and “The Harris Benedict Equation” to enhance comprehension of good nutrition principles. Discussion revolves around maintaining health through proper dietary choices and quantities, while also addressing potential issues related to food intake.
Module 3 – Supplementary Nutrients
This module explores the role of vitamins and minerals in our diet beyond regular food consumption. While there’s a growing trend toward taking vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements, it’s crucial to understand their actual impact on health. Contrary to popular belief, vitamins and minerals don’t directly provide energy or ensure optimal health by sheer quantity alone. Instead, this module delves into their specific functions, emphasising their importance for different age groups and health conditions. It also addresses potential risks associated with excessive intake and underscores the importance of understanding their dietary sources and physiological roles.
Module 4 – The Role of Fluids
This module delves into the vital role of water in sustaining human life, highlighting its significance in maintaining body temperature, eliminating waste, cushioning joints, and facilitating internal bodily functions. With 60-70% of our body weight comprising water, it’s essential for survival. The module also examines electrolytes’ role, dehydration prevention, and the effects of alcohol consumption on health, emphasising its limited benefits beyond providing energy.
Module 5 – Weight Loss and Dieting
This module explores weight management, emphasizing its importance for health and overall well-being. It examines the health implications of weight loss and the dangers associated with rapid weight loss methods. Additionally, it delves into the challenges of sustained weight loss, addressing factors like appetite control, metabolism, and the effectiveness of various diets. The module concludes with practical strategies for both losing and maintaining weight effectively, along with considerations for healthy weight gain.
Module 6 – Vegetarianism
This module explores the topic of vegetarianism, including its various reasons and health considerations. It examines the motivations behind choosing a vegetarian lifestyle, ranging from religious to moral and ethical beliefs. Additionally, it evaluates the potential health benefits and limitations of a vegetarian diet, addressing different variations such as veganism and their impact on essential nutrient intake. The module also offers meal ideas to ensure a well-balanced diet for individuals following vegetarian lifestyles.
Module 7 – Young People
This module delves into the nutritional requirements of children and young individuals, which are influenced by factors like age, gender, and activity level. It’s especially relevant for caregivers and young people themselves, offering insights to help maintain optimal health. The module examines the energy, protein, carbohydrate, and fluid needs of active young individuals, comparing them to adult requirements. Additionally, it addresses the dietary considerations for women planning pregnancy or already pregnant, laying the foundation for the child’s nutritional needs from the earliest stages of life.
Module 8 – Groups with Special Dietary Needs
This section emphasises the dietary requirements of specific groups, such as women during various life stages like pregnancy and menopause. It also addresses the unique dietary needs of individuals with conditions like diabetes, heart disease, allergies, and asthma, discussing signs, symptoms, and preventive measures. The importance of essential minerals and vitamins, such as iron to prevent anaemia, is explored within this context.
Module 9 – Eating Disorders
This section covers the three main types of eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive eating, with some experts considering obesity as a fourth category. It delves into the nature of each disorder, highlighting that they are often manifestations of underlying psychological conflicts rather than just issues with food and body image. The module emphasises understanding the distinct differences between these disorders and their effects, rather than labeling individuals strictly into one category. Strategies for addressing these illnesses and promoting positive body image will also be discussed.
Module 10 – Personal Dietary Plans
Many people lack an understanding of sustaining a healthy lifestyle. For kids, nutrition needs vary by age, gender, and activity level. Health planning involves more than weight management—it’s about tailored, balanced living. Personalised dietary plans consider individual traits and include meal suggestions and journaling for calorie tracking. Achievable goals and sustainable strategies aid in overall health improvement.
Requirements
- Entry to this Accredited Level 3 Diet + Nutrition Diploma requires that potential students must be aged 16 and have gained GCSE/IGCSE or equivalent qualifications and have, good English oral, reading and writing skills.