4 questions | Applied Sciences homework help
- You have heard that many Americans are not eating properly. How can you check whether your diet con- tains adequate amounts of all the nutrients you need? If you are not sure what to do, how can you locate a professional person to help you?
It’s Your Decision Chapter Ten Basic Nutrition Concepts 193 State and local dietetic associations are usually eager to be helpful. Dial-A-Dietitian services to answer tele- phone inquiries are available in some cities. Other local sources include accredited colleges and medical schools, USDA Extension Services of land-grant universities, home economists at USDA county cooperative services (for information on food preparation), state health de- partments, some local health departments, and state or county medical societies. Available local sources are list- ed in the Yellow or Blue Pages of the telephone directory and on the Internet. The American Dental Association and several other organizations listed in the Appendix provide information about nutrition as it applies to their areas of special interest. Chapter 2 identifies newsletters that provide trustworthy nutrition information. suMMarY The basic principles of nutrition are moderation, variety, and balance. These can be achieved by daily selection of appropriate numbers of moderate-sized portions from each of the food groups. The Internet-based Food Guidance System enables consumers to select foods from groups rather than having to calculate the amount of each nutrient in each individual portion of food. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide additional advice about moderating dietary fat (to help prevent heart disease) and consuming adequate amounts of fiber. Nutrition labeling enables consumers to ascertain the nutrient contents of most foods. Vitamin deficiencies are uncommon in the United States, but many women do not consume enough iron or calcium in their diet. Vegetarian diets can be a health- ful alternative to those that include meat, but they must be constructed carefully to avoid nutrient deficiencies. Many qualified professionals can provide trustworthy information and advice about diet and nutrition.