Step-By-Step Guide
How to Advise a Client by Email:
Pat Niren asked you to respond to a question from The Westside Teen Nutrition Clinic Web Site. Research the question as appropriate so you can ground your answer in science that is easy to understand.
- Review Pat Niren’s email. It may be helpful to print the email and highlight the important points.
- Read the question and determine what is being asked. Meet with your team. Read the question from the clinic web site and start by asking yourselves what exactly you have been asked to do.
- Prepare to respond to the question.
- Open a new Microsoft Word document.
- Copy and paste the Protein question from Pat Niren’s email into the blank document. Follow the format of the sample email from your supervisor and write your answer after the question.
- Remember to address the client by name and sign the email as the Virtual Nutrition Advisor (do not use your real name).
- Save your template using the filename specified in the Submit your work section
- Draft your email response.
- Use the Resources available to help you understand the science so you can then explain it in your response. To help you arrive at an answer that will be both thorough and educational, there are several resources available to you. You can review the sample answer that your supervisor provided (in the Resources section) to get an idea of how detailed your response needs to be. Also, you may refer to A Bit of Chemistry for Nutritionists available in the Resources section for information on vitamins and minerals that will help you explain the science behind the question.
- Take notes as you do research. You may find that there is a lot of science content to grapple with as you prepare to answer the question. So, as you do your research, it may be helpful to take notes. Once you think you have gathered enough information, organize your notes in a structured way to help you prepare to draft your email response. Work with your team to be sure you all understand the science and agree upon what your answer should be.
- Draft a response using the template you created. Remember to directly answer the question, grounding your answer in science. Focus your response around all the important characteristics of protein; define what protein is, discuss why the body builds it and provide a rationale for whether or not rice alone is a sufficient source of protein. Be sure to include important details relevant to protein such as amino acids, essential amino acids and polymer. This is your opportunity to educate the clinic’s audience, so be as thorough as you can, keeping in mind that your answers should be easy for a teenager to understand.
- Review your work.
- Did you provide a thorough response to the question?
- Did you ground your answer in science?
- Submit your work. Review the checklist located on the Submit your work section of this task and submit the response to your mentor.
Resources
When referring to a Wikipedia resource, note that while Wikipedia is a valuable resource, unlike some other websites anyone can contribute to or modify the site (whether they're knowledgeable about the topic or not). As a result, the site is subject to constant change by questionable sources. Be sure to cross-check information on Wikipedia with other reputable sites to ensure accuracy.
TASK RESOURCES
A Bit of Chemistry for Nutritionists - Nutrition is ultimately about the chemistry of the body. This FAQ explains some basic concepts on how the body functions. What are vitamins, proteins and so forth? What do we need them for, and what does our body do with them?
What are Proteins? - This page from Wikipedia provides a general overview of protein and explains its function in the body.
Essential Amino Acids - This page from Wikipedia provides an explanation of essential amino acids and explains how they are used in the body.
Protein in Diet - This site provides a definition of protein and offers examples of good food sources for protein.
Protein: Moving Closer to Center Stage - This page from Harvard's School of Public Health gives a thorough understanding of protein and provides recommendations for protein intake.
GENERAL NUTRITION RESOURCES
Nutrition Tools & Practices
The Diagnosis & Treatment Process Specific to Nutrition - This document describes a process that health care professionals, and dietitians and nutritionists in particular, typically use to assess what is wrong with their patients, and how they develop treatment plans to help them.
MyPlate - This site provides information on the MyPlate Program, which was designed by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture to promote healthy nutrition in children over two years of age. It serves as a general guide to daily food choices and includes age-specific food plans, calorie counters, and general nutrition guidelines.
Background Information
The American Dietetic Association - This is the site for the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals.
The American Society for Nutrition - This is the site for The American Society for Nutrition, a premier research society dedicated to improving the quality of life through the science of nutrition.
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Food and Nutrition - Under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's web site, this page gives you general useful information on food and nutrition.
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Dietary Guidelines for Americans - Under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's web site, this page provides guidelines regarding how good dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases.
Nutritional Needs of Adolescents - This article provides a detailed account of facts and statistics regarding the nutritional needs of adolescents.
The Science of Biology, Eighth Edition, William K. Purves - This link requires a username and password. Your username is vista1, and your password is arginine. Using the menu at the top of the screen, select Chapter 50 (on nutrition) for the most relevant material.
