Jillian Hansell

Health 1020
Summer 2019

Reflection

1.Make connections between what you studied in this nutrition course with what you’ve learned
in other courses at SLCC or before. Make specific references to your work in this class and in the
other courses. How did what you learn in the other courses enhance what you learned in
nutrition, and vice versa?

I have taken biology and chemistry, having a general knowledge of cells, our organ systems and
functions, amino acids, and our macros has really helped me understand this class better.
Sometimes I feel like the terminology is the most intimidating in this class. It is a lot of
information crammed into one semester. So, having a background in terms like glucose, amino
acids, proteins, vitamins and minerals helps ease the flow of learning. I also wrote a paper in my
English class about factory farming and how it affects our health and environment. Which I can
relate to my nutrition perspectives paper. Having a little bit of background research in a
somewhat related topic helped me better understand the documentary. It also peeked my interest
in the super-size me documentary, since one of biggest offenders of factory farming is fast food
chains. I think this class is going to help me better understand human anatomy and the chemical
break downs of food itself.

2.Reflect on how you thought about nutrition before you took this course and how you think
about it now that the course is over. Have any of your assumptions or understandings changed?
Why? What assignments/activities/readings were influential in this process? How will you
approach (course topic) differently in the future?

For me nutrition was something that mattered but wasn’t detrimental. I felt like I ate ok and that
was just good enough. Knowing everything I know now after this class I look at it differently.
Food is fuel for your body and it affects our bodies a lot more than I ever thought. Realizing how
much proper macros can help me maintain a healthy weight and how important vitamin and
minerals are for my health, I pay attention to what I am putting in my body. I cut out processed
foods like white bread and pastas, cereals and artificial sugars. I track my calories because I
realized in our 3-day food log that I am not only not eating enough, I am not getting adequate
nutrients. This really opened my eyes to how much I could be harming myself by not eating
properly. Learning about proper food handling was important to me as well. I never realized how
easily you can contaminate food by not keeping it at the correct temperature. From now on and I
am going to make sure I properly thaw my meats to prevent illness. I feel this class is something
everyone should have to take. There is vital information about our health and well-being that
people just don’t realize. Taking this class has made me have a better understand of what I need
for my body, not only to be healthy but to run at its maximum potential.