Learning Outcomes Nutrition 1020 and The Omnivores Dilemma

Demonstrate knowledge of human nutritional needs and the role of nutrition in

improving individual health and the societal economic impact of food choices.

During my research for this class and the final assignment I really enjoyed drawing
connections between both my other class and things that I learned from the book that I
read because all three really kind of went hand in hand. The book that I listened to went
into much more detail that I will, but I found it fascinating that the number of options that
we have as far as food choices and dietary choices seem to set us back in a way its like it
paralyzes us from picking something that is “different”. Even when we do pick
something different though has was expressed in the book more often than not it can be
drawn back in many ways to a singular ingredient so we really aren’t getting as much
“variety” as we would think, and that’s corn.

Relate technological advancements in medicine and food production to the

advancement of the science of human nutrition.

Because we continue to advance in many ways we also continue to learn and grow. We
have gone from thinking that that may be a poisonous mushroom that we just picked to
not having to worry about it because the mushrooms are cleaned and packaged and
sometimes even already sliced. We have taken food that once we had to work for and
made it a commodity. Not only that though we have expanded on it and made it into new
foods some of which we are still learning about and figuring out if its really healthy for
us in the long run. Think Diet Soda and artificial sweeteners and all of the back and forth
that goes along with them, most of the time it’s not good stuff. We have the advancement
to pull things out of corn during processing that I never would have thought of and again
sometimes its not always for the better.

Explain the impact that the food industry has on human food choices and the
subsequent relationship to health and disease at the individual, societal, and
environmental level.

As I mentioned above briefly, having ample amounts of choices doesn’t make the choices
better or easier. With everything going on I don’t make it to the grocery store as much as
I would like which means that we do eat out. One of the things that I’ve noticed more and
more while taking this class is the huge portion sizes that so many places have. Ive taken
to ordering a large fry from places like JCW’s and splitting it with my husband and even
then, we don’t always finish it. Or getting a large shake from Ice Burge and keeping it in
the freezer for a couple of days because I can’t eat it all. The problem is that when its put
in front of someone and they aren’t at home, chances are they aren’t going to throw it
away. They are going to eat as much as they can if not the whole thing because we don’t
want to be wasteful. I think the “normal” proportion sizes are a huge component to why
obesity is such a huge problem.
Provide examples of past and present nutrient and diet trends in modern society
and the positive and/or negative implications on human health and the earth’s
resources.

Continuing the fast-food track from above and proportion sizes. The super-size option
hasn’t always been a thing obviously. In fact, I think that most places used to just have
one size and that would be what we consider small now. Let’s be honest, when you go
some place new and you get a large soda and the drink is smaller than you expect, its
nota huge 24 or 36 oz mega cup or what ever you feel a little disappointed. I know that
I’ve had that happen a couple of times before and it give you pause to why we feel that
way. We are thrifty beings and a lot of us are drawn to a good “deal” even if we don’t
really need it we buy the next size up because it sounds like a bargain. That two for one
deal on the burger, do you need a second burger when its just you? Probably not but it’s a
great deal so might as well get it even though it may end up in the garbage.

Provide examples of positive and negative interactions of humankind with

microorganisms regarding sickness, health and food production.

Microorganisms cause fermentation which we use to make a lot of things, beer, wine,
cheese, kimchi, and even sourdough. These are things that many people enjoy and
consume but if the timeline goes just a little to far or something gets a little off kilter it
can go bad. A SCOBY can grow mold, sourdough starters can too. Beer and wine can go
rancid. Sometimes it’s a fine line between its got some good tang to it to somethings not
right. Many of the foods and drinks that I mentioned are also said to have healthy effects
at times, kimchi and kombucha are said to be good for your gut and kombucha can even
be a good substitute for some one who is trying to stop drinking soda if they don’t mind
the tangy taste that sometimes comes with it.

Address diet and nutrient issues and concerns for weight control, disease
prevention, physical activity, food availability, and biotechnology.

I feel like I’ve covered most of this already above with portion control and processed
foods being the main concerns and causes sometimes. Physical activity is something that
I think is not top on peoples list but its just as important as a good diet. I’m guilty of this
its not the first thing on my list and sometimes its not even on my list. This year
especially I’ve been a lot less active and a lot more sedentary with working from home
and missing out on the normal camping and outings that we would take because of
various reasons there hasn’t been a lot of activity going on. That is something that I want
to try and change though even if we do continue to work from home I’m trying to make it
a point to take care of myself. Do some yoga or take our dog for a walk, its not a lot but
its something and its better than sitting on the couch or in an office chair all day long and
just moving from one screen and chair to another. I think this year has been hard on a lot
of people in that way while also limiting food availability in kind of a weird way. When
my husband doesn’t want what we have or is sick of something we order out, and we sure
aren’t ordering veggie bowls.