Seminar 1 bio nutrition - Essay Example

I. Questions How can a person tell if nutrition information in an article (or a TV show) is accurate or not? How can a person tell if the author knows what he/she is talking about? We can tell that the nutrition information delivered if the nutrition information in an article (or a TV show) is accurate if it is delivered by a credible person with enough education and training about proper nutrition.A person can tell if the author knows what he/she is talking about by basing on his/her the qualification.

If the person who is dispensing advice is an expert, say for example a nutritionist, a medical doctor or a dietician, for sure the author knows what he/she is talking about.2. Go to your local food store. Compare labels on two breakfast cereals – one that is "nutritious" (e.g. - Shredded Wheat), and one that is NOT nutritious (e.g. – Oreos). Compare the following areas: Ingredient List, Daily Values, Nutrition Facts, and Health Messages. What would be the consequences of daily consumption of each of these cereals for a lifetime?

Let us cite the most obvious ingredient between a cereal and an Oreo which is carbohydrates, protein, sugar and fiber content per serving. Oreo has 160 calories, 1g fiber, 14g sugar and 1 protein while shredded wheat has 128.6 calories, 3.5 fiber and 5.3 protein and 0 sugar. At least Oreo has no pretension to be a healthy food and rather capitalize on its taste and experience (evident with the gimmickry of its advertisements). Shredded Wheat on the other hand conveys the message that it is good for your heart and digestion and makes you lose weight.

This is true when taken regularly because shredded wheat is fortified with omega 3 which reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The high fiber content of shredded wheat can improve digestion because it “mops out” dirt in the intestine as well as oil in our system. The protein will build muscle provided a person will exercise. The net effect to person’s body with this diet is reduced weight and free from hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Oreo on the other hand when taken as diet, will make a person fat, diabetic and susceptible to cardiovascular disease.3. What are phytochemicals?

What are good sources in our diets for these phytochemicals? Are they important in our diets? Phytochemicals are compounds produced by plants. They are chemicals produced by vegetables, fruits, grains and other plants. The most commonly known phytochemicals are beta carotene, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), folic acid, and vitamin E (American Cancer Society, 2008).The good sources of phytochemicals are polyphenols and carotenoids. Polyphenols are plant chemicals found in a wide of fruits, grains and vegetables such as cabbage, eggplants, grapes etch.

Carotenoids on the other hand are those plants and fruits that contain anticancer agents such as carrots squash, yams etch. 4. Identify the benefits of the new Choose My Plate websiteThe benefit of the http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ is that it provides us reliable information on how to control our weight. It recommends concrete programs how to achieve it such as what food are healthy that would enable us to control our calorie intake as well as the necessity of physical activity that would burn calories.II. Article CritiqueI chose the article “Healthy Eating: Easy Tips for Planning a Healthy Diet and Sticking to it” (Maya et al., 2012) for my article critique because it struck a healthy balance between having a good and realistic diet that one can really stick to it.

It is not very prohibitive which restricts the consumer from eating a lot of food. It is a smart diet where we do not have to abandon our favorite food but rather, eat it in moderation and balance is key.For example, the article did not say we should stop eating fatty foods. It recommends for us to be discerning in choosing the unsaturated fat which is healthier so that we can still enjoy good foods. It does not prohibit us from eating carbohydrates which in effect still allows us to eat cake only that we have to take it in moderation and eat smart like enjoying our meal by chewing them longer.

In general, the article was based on reality which is why it is attainable that would make the consumer stick to it.Reference:American Cancer Society (2008) Phytochemicals. Retrieved at http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/phytochemicalsMaya W. Paul, Melinda Smith, M.A. and Jeanne Segal (July 2012). Healthy Eating: Easy Tips for Planning a Healthy Diet and Sticking to it. Retrieved at http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_eating_diet.htm.