Signature Assignment

Extension of the $10 Challenge

Learning Outcomes:

The interactions and inter-dependency of organisms upon each other and their environment.

All living things are connected to each other in this world. It is easy to believe and say we are the creators of our own successes in this life, especially because our culture is one that praises individualism. But no person can truly claim independence from their environment, for it is the environment in which a person is surrounded that influences their beliefs, actions, and opportunities to succeed or fail. My ability to live a healthy life depends on the resources I have available to me, like my ability to consume nutritious food, accessibility to parks and nature, and tools to aid in stress management.

Demonstrate knowledge of human nutritional needs and the role of nutrition in improving individual health and the societal economic impact of food choices.

The collective impact on our society if we do not take food and nutrition seriously will have detrimental consequences that add to the cost of our healthcare, people will continue to get sicker with chronic illnesses and autoimmune diseases. It is also not a surprise to see a correlation between the rise in mental health issues and an increase in diets of processed and refined foods.

Explain the impact that the food industry has on human food choices and the subsequent relationship to health and disease at the individual, societal, and environmental levels.

We live in a very pro-productivity culture, and because of that, we need more time in the day. More time to be productive at work and in school. Even our leisure needs to be filled with an activity that can show as proof that we are always being productive. With this incessant need to fill our time doing something that will be considered productive, we are left with little time to cook and feed ourselves meals that are nutrient-dense. Instead, the food industry has capitalized on our greatest desire; to have more time in our day for the things we care about. That is why the majority of food Americans eat is processed, made for convenience, and marketed as more affordable than whole foods. But a diet that is highly dependent on these kinds of foods has been shown to be linked to chronic health issues such as cardiovascular disease and type two diabetes. This is adding to the increased cost of treatment in our healthcare system.

Not only is this diet aiding in the decline of our health and healthcare infrastructure, but it is also contributing to the environmental climate crisis. Most of this food that is fast and convenient is not sustainable. It eats at our natural resources without replenishing nature. This would make sense to the rise in environmental and sustainable agriculture movements in addition to specific diets such as vegetarianism, veganism, and plant-based diets.

Original $10 Challenge Assignment

Reflection

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Make connections between what you studied in this nutrition course with what you’ve learned in other courses at SLCC or before.

Between this class and my psychology class, I have learned nutrition plays a big role in our overall health and well-being. What we eat can have an impact on our physical and mental health. There is an inherent connection between the mind and body. If someone is experiencing issues with their mental health, the food that is put into their body could aid in their recovery or it could exacerbate the condition. This same logic works the other way around, if someone is eating a balanced diet and getting the nutrition that they need, they will be less likely to experience issues with their mental health. But if they aren’t eating a well-rounded diet, that could contribute to an increased risk of anxiety, depression, and mood disorders.

Reflect on how you thought about nutrition before you took this course and how you think about it now that the course is over.

I had done multiple diets in the past, trying to find one that worked best for me. I finally gave up on dieting completely in 2021 and decided to heal the strenuous relationship I had with food. Because of the relationship I have had with food, I was quite nervous to take this class in the beginning. However, after this course, I do feel more empowered to make decisions on the food I eat and to be less judgemental of myself for my food choices. After all, everything is okay in moderation.