Class 3 of Fall 2018 – Chapter 2 – Foundations of Nutrition; The Dietary References Intakes (DRIs)

Joseph Dixon ♦ September 12, 2018 ♦ Leave a comment

Three Foundations of Nutrition – After teaching Nutrition for 28 years I decided that there are three major Events/Discoveries that the Science of Nutrition stands on. The following are my Three Foundations of Nutrition:

1. Discovery of Essential Nutrients (vitamins) and the Nutrient Balance Studies – 1st Foundation of Nutrition

2. Atwater Numbers – Wilbur O. Atwater (1844-1907) (and Max Rubner, a
scientist who studied in the Munich laboratory of Carl Volt) Measured the Energy in foods using calorimetry

3. Humans obey 1st Law of thermodynamics  – (essentially, the Atwater numbers work in Humans).  Atwater verified Rubner’s observations that animals obeyed the First
Law of Thermodynamics–that conservation of energy holds in animals, and that energy is conserved when it is converted between its various forms (i.e., chemical energy to heat energy to work energy) in the body.

Comparing Food Labels can be FUN!

New Chocolate milk claims to have more protein and potassium – Is it True?

If you look close at the Nutrition labels they can help you decide what foods are better for you!

Former Milks I drink:

New Milk:  (Looks good!)