Nutrition QQI L5 - Classroom

Participant Profile:
This course would be of interest to individuals who are interested in food, what different food groups can do in your body, the nutritional composition of food and how nutrition can affect your health and lifestyle. NOTE: Skills to Advance funding is available for eligible applicants in employment to up skill. Contact mulgravesta@lcetb.ie for more information.

Programme Description:
• The functions of food, specifying the different classes of nutrients and their main functions • Examine the energy values of the different food types • Basal metabolic rate (BMR) and reference nutrient intake (RNI) and the factors that can alter BMR • The role of each type of fat (monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated) and fatty acids in relation to health and the effects of the deficiency and excess intake of fat • Sources of fat, carbohydrates and protein in the Irish diet • The functions, sources and deficiency symptoms of minerals • Importance of fibre in the diet and the effects of a low and a high carbohydrate diet • Essential and non-essential amino acid • Role of vitamins and minerals in maintaining good health and the reference nutrient intake (RNI) and why certain groups of people are at high risk of suffering vitamin and mineral deficiencies • Specific nutritional needs and the factors that influence the eating habits of infants, children, adolescents, adults and the elderly • EU regulations and the current dietary recommendations of the Department of Health • The main categories of food additives • The causes, symptoms and effects of anorexia nervosa, bulimia and obesity • The role and impact of diet in a range of diseases and illnesses e.g. coronary heart disease and hypertension, links between diet and types of cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes and dental health.