Basic Nutrition Principles

Course Overview

Basic Nutrition Principles
This foundational course introduces learners to the science of nutrition and its relevance to public health, business performance, and food system sustainability. It is designed for entrepreneurs, food processors, and MSMEs within the SBN network who want to integrate nutrition-smart practices into their businesses.

Participants will explore the classification of nutrients, the causes and consequences of malnutrition, and the importance of healthy diets and balanced food choices. The course also provides practical insights into nutrition assessment, dietary requirements across life stages, and how food processing and storage affect nutrient content. By the end of this course, learners will have a solid understanding of how nutrition shapes health outcomes and how businesses can drive positive change through better nutrition practices.

Course Highlights

• Introduction to Nutrition – Learn the basic concepts and types of nutrients essential for health.

• Understanding Malnutrition – Explore undernutrition, overnutrition, and their causes, effects, and economic impacts.

• Global and Nigerian Nutrition Context – Analyze nutrition indicators, deficiencies, and public health implications.

• Healthy Diets and Food Groups – Understand dietary guidelines, food pyramids, and recommended daily allowances (RDA).

• Nutrition Across Life Stages – Identify the unique nutrient needs from infancy to old age.

• Nutrition Assessment Tools – Learn how to measure and interpret BMI, cholesterol, and metabolic indicators.

• Nutrition and Food Processing – Examine how handling, storage, and processing affect nutrient content and food quality.