Essential Concepts in Nutrition, Health, and Food Science

Food Preservation Techniques

Traditional Preservation Methods (TT)

• Curing: Addition of salt to preserve food.
• Cooling: A process of removing heat to slow spoilage.
• Heating: Heating food to temperatures sufficient to kill microorganisms.
• Canning: Cooking food and sealing it in sterilized cans.
• Fermentation: The process of converting carbohydrates to alcohol or organic acids using microorganisms.

Industrial and Modern Techniques (MIT)

• Pasteurization: A process that kills microorganisms in food and drink using high temperatures.
• Vacuum Packing: A method of packaging that removes air from the package prior to sealing.
• Artificial Food Additives: Substances added to products to prevent decomposition.
• Biopreservation: The use of natural or controlled microorganisms as a way of preserving food.

Nutritional Deficiencies and Related Conditions

• Osteoporosis

  A disease, most common in older women, where the bones become fragile and are more likely to break. The bones usually lose density and become porous. It is associated with a deficiency of calcium and vitamin D.

• Anemia

  Anemia is a condition of the blood characterized by an insufficient number of healthy red blood cells. A patient feels tired and weak because the tissues and organs in the body are not able to get enough oxygen, causing respiration to slow down. It is associated with a deficiency of iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D.

• Marasmus

  This is a severe form of malnutrition due to starvation. The person becomes extremely thin (emaciated). It is caused by a deficiency of energy sources: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

• Constipation

  A person has constipation when they have a bowel movement less than three times per week. The person may experience hard stools, difficulty, and pain when passing stools. It is associated with a deficiency of fiber.

Understanding Different Dietary Patterns

A Diet is defined as the sum of food consumed by a person or other organism.

Specific Diet Types

• Vegetarian Diet

  A diet that excludes meat. Vegetarians also avoid food containing products of animal slaughter.

• Vegan Diet

  A subtype of vegetarian diet. Vegans do not consume or use any product produced by animals, such as eggs, dairy products, or honey.

• Gluten-Free Diet

  A diet that avoids gluten, which is a protein found in various cereal grains. This diet is often used by people with Coeliac disease.

• Macrobiotic Diet

  A diet focused on avoiding processed food.

• Mediterranean Diet

  A diet based on the habits of some southern European countries. One of its most distinct features is the use of olive oil as the primary source of fat.