Diet and Nutrition Short Course
Living a Healthy lifestyle is considered the new craze especially in recent times, in this course we explore why a balanced diet with regular exercise is key to good health.
Diet and nutrition will be defined and better understood in this course before we learn about what our bodies need, we also need to understand how we process food, how we get fat, build muscles, and have enough energy for our body’s needs to walk, talk, pump our heart, breathe, blink our eyes, maintain our body and grow – basically to stay alive.
How people stay healthy and what foods are required in what amounts are discussed.
Lessons on this online diet and nutrition course will be learned through practical activities which can easily be done at home.
This course is thoughtfully structured into ten manageable units, each exploring key aspects of the field.
Diet and Nutrition Short Course Diploma Entry Requirements:
All students must be 16 years of age and above to enter into our Diet and Nutrition Short Course Diploma (Level 3).
Short Course Diploma courses require a minimum prior learning to GCSE standard in order that students can manage their studies and the assumed knowledge within course content.
Study Hours
200 hours in total. Or 20 hours per week over 10 weeks.
Assessment
Written assessment at the end of each unit of study.
Enrolment
Please note that you can enrol on this course at any time.
Progression
This Diet and Nutrition Short Course Diploma can be used to gain entry to a Level 4 Diploma or higher.
Additional Recommended Text:
Nutrition, Health and Sport by Tutor Argon
Course Content
Unit 1 – The Digestive system
This unit explores the body’s processing of food and water through the digestive system. Understanding the digestive system’s various components is essential before delving into the specifics of diet and nutrition. The significance of the mouth, intestine, and the journey of food from plates to tissues and cells is emphasised, along with insights into beneficial foods for the body.
Unit 2 – Dietary Nutrients
Unit 2 delves into the fundamentals of good nutrition, exploring essential nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. The module provides a detailed understanding of these nutrients and their functions in the body. It teaches the application of good nutrition in daily life, covering concepts such as ‘Energy Balance,’ ‘Body Mass Index,’ and ‘The Harris-Benedict Equation.’ Discussions include maintaining health through appropriate food choices and quantities.
Unit 3 – Supplementary Nutrients
This unit explores the importance of vitamins and minerals in our diet, covering a range from vitamin C to zinc, as well as the growing use of herbs and natural supplements like garlic or cod liver oil. It examines the absorption and utilisation of these nutrients by the body, emphasising that they don’t directly provide energy and excessive intake doesn’t ensure optimal health. The module also addresses the consequences of overconsumption and emphasises the sources and functions of these essential components.
Unit 4 – The Role of Fluids
Unit 4 delves into the importance of staying hydrated and various ways to ensure an adequate intake of water and liquids. It emphasises that 60-70% of our body weight is composed of water, highlighting its crucial role in maintaining body temperature, eliminating waste, cushioning joints, and supporting internal functions. The unit also discusses electrolytes, and dehydration prevention, and provides insights into alcohol metabolism and its effects on health.
Unit 5 – Weight Loss and Dieting
Unit 5 explores the motivations behind weight control, emphasising health benefits alongside appearance and confidence. It discusses the limitations of traditional dieting, emphasising the importance of healthy eating and regular exercise. The unit covers the health effects and risks of rapid weight loss methods, addresses challenges in losing and maintaining weight, and examines appetite control and metabolism. Practical strategies for both weight loss and healthy weight gain are presented.
Unit 6 – Vegetarianism
Unit 6 examines the prevalence of vegetarianism, with around one in twenty people in the UK adopting this lifestyle. The module delves into the reasons behind choosing a vegetarian diet and explores its potential health benefits. It covers various vegetarian variations, discussing essential elements and providing meal ideas for a balanced diet.
Unit 7 – Young People
This unit explores the nutritional needs of children and young people, considering factors like lifestyle and energy expenditure. It addresses how to support young individuals in maintaining a healthy diet, emphasising energy, protein, carbohydrate, and fluid requirements, especially for those who are highly active. The module also delves into the dietary needs of women planning to conceive or pregnant, initiating the discussion on meeting the child’s nutritional needs from the earliest stages of life.
Unit 8 – Groups with Special Dietary Needs
Unit 8 focuses on special dietary needs for various groups, including women during pregnancy and menopause. It addresses conditions like diabetes, heart disease, allergies, and asthma, discussing signs, symptoms, and preventive measures. The module emphasises the significance of essential minerals and vitamins in these contexts, specifically highlighting the importance of iron intake to prevent anaemia.
Unit 9 – Eating Disorders
This unit explores the three main categories of eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive eating. It delves into the psychological conflicts underlying these disorders, highlighting their distinct differences and effects. Strategies to counter these illnesses and enhance body image are discussed.
Unit 10 – Personal Dietary Plans
The concluding unit explores the misconception about maintaining a healthy state and emphasises the importance of a health plan for leading a healthy lifestyle. It guides in identifying individual needs, devising a methodical plan, and designing a personal dietary plan. The unit offers suggestions for healthy, balanced meals, and treats, and advice on maintaining food and exercise diaries to achieve set goals within a specific time frame.
Requirements
- All students must be 16 years of age and above to enter into our Diet and Nutrition Short Course Diploma (Level 3). Short Course Diploma courses require a minimum prior learning to GCSE standard in order that students can manage their studies and the assumed knowledge within course content.