Serving a Healthy Diet (UC-NUTM01)

Winter Term 2023-2024 · UC NUTM01 · Tufts University · 0 credits · Undergraduate

In a world of conflicting food messages, how do we know which foods are good for us? What is the evidence for why you might want to incorporate foods like leafy greens, beans and berries more often into the meals you prepare? How do you construct a menu that tastes good, meets the nutrient and health requirements for an individual or group, and is culturally appropriate and responsibly sourced? Planning and implementing healthy meals for customers, clients, family, and friends can pose a challenge. In this course we explore the relationship between diet and health by examining the habitual eating patterns, e.g., Mediterranean-style, vegetarian, etc., that have been shown to prevent chronic diet-related conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. We learn about the nutritional components of the foods and beverages commonly present in these healthy eating patterns and to implement strategies that will help those we serve make better food choices. Course Objectives: By the end of this course, participants will be able to • Describe healthful dietary patterns and summarize their common factors. • Identify the healthful properties of foods, how to responsibly source those foods, and how preparation influences their properties. • Create a healthful dish based on principles of maximizing flavor while mitigating chronic disease risk.

Course codes: UC-NUTM01

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