Understanding Nutrition

Ellie Whitney, PhD grew up in New York City and received her B.A. and Ph.D. degrees in English and biology at Radcliffe/Harvard University and Washington Universities, respectively. She has taught at both Florida State University and Florida A&M University, has written newspaper columns on environmental matters for the Tallahassee Democrat, and has authored almost a dozen college textbooks on nutrition, health, and related topics, many of which have been revised multiple times over the years. In addition to teaching and writing, she has spent the past three-plus decades exploring outdoor Florida and studying its ecology. Her latest book is Priceless Florida: The Natural Ecosystems (Pineapple Press, 2004). Sharon Rady Rolfes is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and founding member of Nutrition and Health Associates, an information resource center that manages a research database of more than 1,000 nutrition-related topics. Previously, Ms. Rolfes taught at Florida State University and coauthored several college textbooks, including Understanding Nutrition, and Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition. In addition to writing, Ms. Rolfes consults on educational projects and volunteers in her community. A member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, she received her M.S. in Nutrition and Food Science from Florida State University.

1. An Overview of Nutrition.
Food Choices. The Nutrients. The Science of Nutrition. Dietary Reference Intakes. Nutrition Assessment. Diet and Health. Highlight 1: Nutrition Information and Misinformation.
2. Planning a Healthy Diet.
Principles and Guidelines. Diet-Planning Guides. Food Labels. Highlight 2: Vegetarian Diets.
3. Digestion, Absorption, and Transport.
Digestion. Absorption. The Circulatory Systems. The Health and Regulation of the GI Tract. Highlight 3: Common Digestive Problems.
4. The Carbohydrates: Sugars, Starches, and Fibers.
The Chemist's View of Carbohydrates. Digestion and Absorption of Carbohydrates. Glucose in the Body. Health Effects and Recommended Intakes of Sugars. Health Effects and Recommended Intakes of Starch and Fibers. Highlight 4: Carbs, kCalories, and Controversies.
5. The Lipids: Triglycerides, Phospholipids, and Sterols.
The Chemist's View of Fatty Acids and Triglycerides. The Chemist's View of Phospholipids and Sterols. Digestion, Absorption, and Transport of Lipids. Lipids in the Body. Health Effects and Recommended Intakes of Saturated Fats, Trans Fats, and Cholesterol. Health Effects and Recommended Intakes of Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated Fats. Highlight 5: High-Fat Foods—Friend or Foe?
6. Protein: Amino Acids.
The Chemist's View of Proteins. Digestion and Absorption of Proteins. Proteins in the Body. Protein in Foods. Health Effects and Recommended Intakes of Protein. Highlight 6: Nutritional Genomics.
7. Energy Metabolism.
Chemical Reactions in the Body. Breaking Down Nutrients for Energy. Feasting and Fasting. Highlight 7: Alcohol in the Body.
8. Energy Balance and Body Composition.
Energy Balance. Energy In: The kCalories Foods Provide. Energy Out: The kCalories the Body Expends. Body Weight and Body Composition. Highlight 8: Eating Disorders.
9. Weight Management: Overweight, Obesity, and Underweight.
Overweight and Obesity. Causes of Overweight and Obesity. Problems of Overweight and Obesity. Aggressive Treatments for Obesity. Weight-Loss Strategies. Underweight.
Highlight 9: The Latest and Greatest Weight-Loss Diet—Again.
10. The Water-Soluble Vitamins: B Vitamins and Vitamin C.
The Vitamins—An Overview. The B Vitamins. Vitamin C. Highlight 10: Vitamin and Mineral Supplements.
11. The Fat-Soluble Vitamins, A, D, E, and K.
Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene. Vitamin D. Vitamin E. Vitamin K. Highlight 11: Antioxidant Nutrients in Disease Prevention.
12. Water and the Major Minerals.
Water and the Body Fluids. The Minerals—An Overview. The Major Minerals
Highlight 12: Osteoporosis and Calcium.
13. The Trace Minerals.
The Trace Minerals—An Overview. The Trace Minerals. Contaminant Minerals.
Highlight 13: Phytochemicals and Functional Foods.
14. Fitness: Physical Activity, Nutrients, and Body Adaptations.
Fitness. Energy Systems and Fuels to Support Activity. Vitamins and Minerals to Support Activity. Fluids and Electrolytes to Support Activity. Diets for Physically Active People. Highlight 14: Supplements as Ergogenic Aids.
15. Life Cycle Nutrition: Pregnancy and Lactation.
Nutrition prior to Pregnancy. Growth and Development during Pregnancy. Maternal Weight. Nutrition during Pregnancy. High-Risk Pregnancies. Nutrition during Lactation.
Highlight 15: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
16. Life Cycle Nutrition: Infancy, Childhood, and Adolescence.
Nutrition during Infancy. Nutrition during Childhood. Nutrition during Adolescence.
Highlight 16: Childhood Obesity and the Early Development of Chronic Diseases.
17. Life Cycle Nutrition: Adulthood and the Later Years.
Nutrition and Longevity. The Aging Process. Energy and Nutrient Needs of Older Adults
Nutrition-Related Concerns of Older Adults. Food Choices and Eating Habits of Older Adults. Highlight 17: Nutrient-Drug Interactions.
18. Diet and Health.
Nutrition and Infectious Diseases. Nutrition and Chronic Diseases. Cardiovascular Disease. Hypertension. Diabetes Mellitus. Cancer. Recommendations for Chronic Diseases. Highlight 18: Complementa