Loose Leaf for Wardlaw's Perspectives in Nutrition: A Functional Approach

by Carol Byrd-Bredbenner, Gaile Moe, Jacqueline Berning

Perspectives in Nutrition, 8th edition, is an introductory nutrition text appropriate for nutrition and science majors, as well as mixed majors/non-majors nutrition courses. This text has the richly deserved reputation of providing an accurate, current, in-depth and thoughtful introduction to the dynamic field of nutrition. The 8th edition introduces a new author team whose primary goal has been to maintain the strengths and philosophy that have been the hallmark of this book yet enhance the accessibility and personal application of materials for today's students.

Genres: Health, Nutrition

992 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2008

Reviews

[carol.]

Ongoing review.

Chapter One, 'The Science of Nutrition,' Two, 'The Healthy Diet,' Three, 'The Food Supply,' and Four, 'Human Digestion and Absorption' should probably be read by everybody with a body. 'Healthy Diet' overviews what constitutes a good diet and way, and helps define empty calories, the over-emphasis of animal proteins in U.S./Canada in contrast with the majority of the world, and the prevalence of 'food insecurity,' a concept developed to categorize the awful phenomenon of people who aren't sure where their next meal is coming from but who aren't technically 'starving.' 'Food Supply' is a nice overview to the way food makes its way to the table/restaurant that includes genetic modification in food, storage issues, irradiation, and food-borne illnesses. 'Digestion' is a fast, solid review of anatomy and physiology, written at high-school level. For those that might want a little more detail, there is a detailed appendix about the digestive process, including some hormone feedback systems and chemistry.

I found the text very current with lots of citations (always appreciated in such a constantly changing field), with multiple links for those who wish to fact-check or explore certain issues further. I liked the acknowledgement of the cultural aspect of appetite, a challenging topic in many levels as to what constitutes 'food,' and its importance in rituals and celebrations.

Visually, there is a nice variety of graphics that make it more accessible to more visual learners. I also appreciated the way it includes nods to potentially controversial issues like gluten sensitivity, antibiotic overuse and organic foods.

What I've learned so far is a lot, but fun factiods:

The stomach can vary in size from 50 mL when empty to 1.5L when full to 4 L when very, very full (and probably over-conditioned!)

We pass anywhere from a pint to 4 pints of gas a day.

Take that, Mary Roach!

[Zanna]

I read this just out of interest, mainly to learn more about metabolism and micronutrients, and I came to the right place. It's a highly readable textbook that goes into plenty of depth but separates out information so it's easy to find what you want and skim sections that are highly technical or not relevant to you. I was quite annoyed to learn some important facts that were never mentioned to me in high school biology, or, even more annoyingly, in any of the diet & nutrition books I skimmed through when I was working at a health food shop and trying to tell the wheat from the chaff in the genre. It's also good that the book pays some attention to health inequalities, food justice in North America and globally. It does start from the cultural assumption that meat and other animal products are part of a healthy diet, a view that is shifting (the BMA has recently agreed that a well-planned vegan diet is appropriate for all life stages).

[Dannette]

Text for a course - great resource.

[Deanna Sutter]

Fall semester 2021

[Beth]

I use this book for everything! It was required for my Nutrition I class but I'm so happy I've kept it because its so useful. I've used it for papers, research, and reference for a variety of topics all throughout my college career. Whoo-hoo for Wardlaw's!

[Alison]

A wonderful textbook and isn't half bad to read, although could weight a little less. Easy to understand nutrition information and guides and easy reference.