Key principles from module 8

In the last module, we discussed supplements. There we explored the meaning of the word ‘supplement’ and the different reasons that an individual may or may not decide to use something. We broke supplements down into two categories before explaining the purpose of each, then explained the rationale behind some of the most popular supplements on the market.

To end the module, we then provided some example situations that could potentially lead someone to consider supplementation. To summarise the previous module:

• Supplements are something used to complete or augment a diet
• Supplements can be loosely grouped into ‘food’ and ‘non-food’ supplements
• Food supplements are designed to complete a diet which may be low or deficient in one or more nutrients, or to make a healthy diet more affordable. Non-food supplements are generally ergogenic aids or stimulants, though other products do exist
• Most food supplements are effective provided the context for their use is considered fully. More critical thinking is required for non-food supplements as many claims do not stand up to scrutiny
• Supplementation is more likely to benefit certain populations
• There is a process which is recommended before determining supplement use and this should be followed prior to any purchase

Module 8 signalled the final stage in our conversation about nutrition per se. You are now armed with the fundamental principles of nutrition that can apply to anyone. Of course, these may need to be tweaked for special populations, but that is not the aim of this course. The remaining two modules will look far closer at the application of generalised nutrition because, as we have mentioned before, knowing what one should eat is not the only challenge. Though many people will not have the knowledge that you now have when it comes to food and nutrition, most people have at least a rough idea of what constitutes a healthy meal – yet this is not what they eat every day. In fact, the act of eating isn’t only a nutritional consideration, but a behavioural one; because of this it is to the behaviours governing food and nutrition that we will now turn.