Title: Explore basic concepts of nutrition for meeting special dietary needs.
Course: Nutrition and Wellness (19253-36) > Section: Investigating Principles of Nutrition

Exploration of basic concepts should include

- listing various conditions (e.g., weakened immune systems, allergies, diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, cancer, heart disease, autism spectrum disorder [ASD], that require special dietary needs
- explaining the basic concepts of nutrition and nutritional therapy related to each identified need
- allergen awareness and allergy training options (e.g., ServSafe, AllerTrain, Tap Series).

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

- Why are nutrition and wellness often in the news?
- Is there a rise in the need for specialized diets? If so, why?
- What effects do processed foods have on our general health and well-being?
- How would required dietary modifications affect individuals and families?
- How do nutritional needs change across the life span (e.g., prenatal, infancy, childhood, adolescence, young adult, adult, elderly)?
- What are the benefits of nutritional therapy?
- How does nutritional therapy provide assistance for special dietary needs?
- What are some reliable sources of information about the six basic nutrients?
- What are the contributions of the six basic nutrients to individual health and wellness?
- How can parents help children develop healthy eating habits?
- What can you do to ensure that your dietary needs are met?
- What factors influence meal planning for a person who is a diabetic? Who has high cholesterol? Who has high blood pressure?
- What are some reliable sources of information about meal planning for persons with special dietary needs?

Communication

- What skills do we need to design a diet for a person with special dietary needs?
- What have researchers found that connect foods with health benefits and health concerns?
- If we know that various lifestyle activities can harm our well-being, why do we often not make the needed changes?
- What dietary guidelines should a pregnant woman follow?
- What communication skills do we need to explain an individual’s special dietary needs?

Leadership

- How could you make a modified diet appealing to the general public or the family as a whole?
- What strategies can be used to promote making healthy food choices?
- How can parents model and teach good eating habits to their children?
- How can you motivate others to meet their individual dietary needs?

Management

- What resources are available to assist in creating and modifying menus for populations that require dietary modifications?
- How are nutrition and medicine related? How does a healthy diet reduce the need for medication?
- What factors would a dietitian consider when designing an eating plan to meet a patient’s medical needs?
- What resources can help you identify nutritional therapy for meeting special dietary needs?

Teacher Resources:

- The ServSafe Advantage
- AllerTrain
- Tap Series