Level 3 Diet + Nutrition Diploma

Level 3 Diet + Nutrition Diploma Course Content

Level 3 Diet + Nutrition Diploma Module 1 – The Digestive system

We start by studying how our body processes the food and water using the digestive system, some foods like cellulose are not digested and what happens to this is as important to know as making use of food groups. This module concentrates on exploring the digestive systems, so that, before we look at the specifics of diet and nutrition, we have an understanding of how the different areas of our digestive system work. Why is the mouth as important as the intestine? It is important to know more about how food gets from our plates into our tissues and cells, and what foods are beneficial to our body. When looking at the subject of diet and nutrition, it is important for us to consider what nutrition actually is, why we feel hunger and why we need food.

Level 3 Diet + Nutrition Diploma Module 2 – Dietary Nutrients

This module introduces the basics of good nutrition and the nutrients our body need. The important dietary nutrients of carbohydrate, protein and fats and oils, vitamins, minerals and water are explained in more detail, so that we can understand the function of these nutrients in our body. It helps us understand how to introduce good nutrition into our daily lives and teaches us concepts such as “Energy Balance”, “Body Mass Index” and “The Harris Benedict Equation”. How can people stay healthy and what foods and in what amounts are needed to achieve this is discussed. Food can also be a problem and this needs to be investigated to raise the problems people face.

Level 3 Diet + Nutrition Diploma Module 3 – Supplementary Nutrients

As well as the usual foods we also need vitamins and minerals in our diet from citric acid (vitamin C) to zinc. There is a trend also to take herbs and natural supplements such as garlic or cod liver oil directly or as capsules. A lot of people believe that vitamins and minerals are health enhancers and that consuming plenty of them will lead to a long and healthy life. In fact, as we will discover in this module, vitamins and minerals do not directly provide us with energy nor does consuming a lot of them automatically guarantee optimal health. So what do they do, why are they especially important for babies, children, the elderly or if we are ill or run down. What happens if you take too much (our body simply gets rid of them). It is important to know where they come from and what exactly they do in our body.

Level 3 Diet + Nutrition Diploma Module 4 – The Role of Fluids

Humans will die quickly without air and survive just a few days without water. In this module, we will look at why we need to drink water, liquids or food containing them and the best way of obtaining sufficient quantities. 60-70% of our body weight is made of water. Water is essential to life, e.g. it helps to maintains our body temperature and it helps get rid of waste, cushions our joints, and all of the internal body functions need water. We will also examine the role of electrolytes (mineral salts), and learn how to recognize and prevent dehydration. Alcohol is a common fluid consumed as a drug and having little other benefits than providing the body energy (high calorific value). We also explore some facts about alcohol and how our bodies metabolise it, as well as the effects of alcohol on our health.

Level 3 Diet + Nutrition Diploma Module 5 – Weight Loss and Dieting

The main reason people want to control their weight is for better health, as well as wanting to improve appearance and confidence. Generally dieting does not work, unless it involves healthy eating with regular exercise. This module looks at the effects of weight loss on health, and highlights the risks of rapid weight loss methods. We examine the reasons why many people find it so difficult to lose weight and then maintain this loss. We also look at appetite control and metabolism and the effects of different diets, culminating in simple effective strategies we can use to lose weight and maintain this weight loss. We also consider simply strategies for gaining weight, without it turning into fat.

Level 3 Diet + Nutrition Diploma Module 6 – Vegetarianism

Surveys suggest that about one in twenty people in the United Kingdom are vegetarian; many people choose to eat meat rarely or occasionally. A vegetarian diet is followed for a variety of reasons, from religious to moral and ethical reasons. This module looks at the whole topic of vegetarianism, including some of the reasons people choose a vegetarian lifestyle. Are there any health benefits of a vegetarian diet, or, indeed, are vegetarian diets always healthy? The different variations of the vegetarian diet and what essential elements are limited is discussed, and some ideas for meals to suit needs and provide a fully balanced meal are therefore included.

Level 3 Diet + Nutrition Diploma Module 7 – Young People

Children and young people’s nutritional needs depend on their life-style and the amount of energy they use. This depends on age, gender and the amount of activity, so their particular nutritional requirements must be assessed on an individual basis. This module will be of particular interest to all those involved in caring for young people and young people themselves, to help them maintain health. The energy needs of young people, especially if they are very active, as well as their protein, carbohydrate and fluid needs is explored, specifically looking at how these may differ from the needs of adults. The needs and diets of women planning to conceive or pregnant women is also studied to start this topic discussing the needs of the child from their earliest point of life.

Level 3 Diet + Nutrition Diploma Module 8 – Groups with Special Dietary Needs

The diet and nutrition of groups with special dietary needs, including women at different stages of their lives, including during pregnancy and the menopause, will have special focus here. So, for example, girls who exercise vigorously may be late menstruating (amenorrhoea). Other groups with special dietary needs include those diagnosed as having diabetes, heart disease, allergies and asthma. The signs and symptoms associated with these diseases and what can be done to prevent or delay their onset will be considered. The importance of all essential minerals and vitamins will be explored in this particular context. Our body cannot make Iron so how to provide sufficient amount and prevent anaemia will also be explored.

Level 3 Diet + Nutrition Diploma Module 9 – Eating Disorders

The three main categories of eating disorder are anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating (some consider obesity to be a fourth type). What they are is explored, and according to most experts on the subject of eating disorders, rather than just being a problem with food and body image, it is believed they are an outward expression of psychological conflict. It may not be easy to label a sufferer as being one or the other of these, as quite often, anorexics might later become bulimic and compulsive eaters might also become bulimic from time to time. It is more useful to know and explore the distinct differences between the eating disorders (often termed disordered eating) and their effects. Strategies to help counter these illnesses and improve body image will be discussed.

Level 3 Diet + Nutrition Diploma Module 10 – Personal Dietary Plans

There is evidence that most people do not understand how to maintain a healthy state. As for children, our needs depend on age, gender and the level of activity. Having a health plan is not just about maintaining body weight, but more about leading a healthy lifestyle. This depends on individual needs and needs to be devised methodically. Designing a personal dietary plan needs to take into account all the personal details of the person the plan is for. It may be for yourself or for someone you are advising about diet and nutrition. A plan includes suggestions and ideas for healthy, balanced meals, treats and advice on keeping food (calorie intake) and exercise (calorie expenditure) diaries, so that any goals and targets set may be successfully achieved within a given time frame.

Additional Recommended Text:

• Nutrition, Health and Sport by Tutor Argon