Nutrition

 
Last week you were introduced to nutrition and the components of a healthy diet. This week you are learning about digestion and carbohydrates. Digestion is the process by which our body breaks down the foods we eat to provide obtain its energy, essential nutrients and other chemicals that are critical for life. Understanding the digestive process will help you evaluate the myriad of nutrition claims we are confronted with every day.
Our body makes energy from the carbohydrate we eat and drink.  Glucose is our body’s preferred energy source, but fatty acids provide an alternative energy source when needed.  This forum will explore deeper several topics related to digestion and carbohydrate.
Your initial forum must be at least 250 words, posted by Tuesday11:55 pm EST, and contain at least one outside, reputable reference. You need to state your thesis and support it with at least one outside, reputable reference. Your textbook is not an outside reference. Remember, there is no right or wrong. Before you post your initial forum discussion, submit it in the assignment area so its originality will be checked by turnitin.com. I will take points off if you do not do this. Before you post your discussion, make sure your originality index (%) is less than 15. If it is greater than 15, rewrite your discussion, submit it again in the assignment area and check the %. Keep doing this until your % is less than 15. Only post your discussion when the % is less than 15.
Once you have posted your initial forum discussion, you must reply to at least two other learner’s post.  Each post must be a different topic.  So you will have your initial post from one topic, your first follow-up post from a different topic and your second follow-up post from one of the other topics.  Of course, you are more than welcome to respond to more than two learners. Your follow-up post must be posted by Sunday 11:55 pm EST.
If your last name starts with, then you will discuss…
First Letter of Last Name
Topic
A through F
Topic 1
G through L
Topic 2
M through R
Topic 3
S through Z
Topic 4
Topic 1:  Should a product be labeled as Genetically Modified (GM) if it contains an ingredient that has been genetically modified? Currently, the FDA requires a GM food to be labeled as such only if there is a substantial difference in nutrient content, the food contains an allergen that would not normally be present, or the food contains a toxicant beyond a certain limit. Do you think consumers should know if their food contains GM ingredients? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of labeling foods as either containing GM ingredients or as “GM free”? How would you use this information?
Topic 2:  Your friend wants to know what is riskier: the bacteria present in food or the additives listed on the food label. How would you respond? On what information would you base your conclusion?
Topic 3: Mary is going to cleanse her gut.  She is thinking of using laxatives and enemas every other week.  What reasons would you give her to steer clear of the regime? What are some possible harmful effects?
Topic 4: Mike was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.  He is feeling good and has not noticed any changes in his health.  Sam, his twin, has not been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.  They both like the same activities and foods. Mike does not understand why he has diabetes, but his brother does not and why he has not had any noticeable symptoms. How would you explain this to him?
Your initial forum and follow-up forums will be graded based on the following rubric.
Note that my topic is Number 3