Multicultural Resources for Contemporary Diet and Nutrition

Topic 1: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

https://www.factsaboutgmos.org/
GM technology has been around for the past 20 years, and today, 70-80% of the foods we eat
in the United States, both at home and away from home, contain ingredients that have been
genetically modified. Ingredients grown using GM technology require fewer pesticides, less
water and keep production costs down. In fact, GM technology helps reduce the price of crops
used for food, such as corn, soybeans and sugar beets by as much as 15-30%. This website
offers information about the benefits of GMOs and all the facts.

Schlenker, Roth. Williams' Essentials of Nutrition and Diet Therapy, 10th Edition. Mosby,
112010. VitalBook file.
Controversial sale and use of genetically modified plants have offered several concerns
from scientists and consumer groups. Risk of allergic reaction, potential toxicity and danger to
the environment. The book offers lots of information about genetically modified foods and
what the risks and benefits are.

Topic 2: Food Safety

https://www.foodsafety.gov/
This is a fantastic resource tool in understanding the importance of food safety. It also has tips
on how to store and cook foods to the right temperatures. It also offers information on current
recalls on certain foods. I think if you have any questions and concerns about anything relating
to food safety, this is the best place to start.
http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/food_safety/en/
This website offers ten facts on food safety. Whether it is from cross contamination, different
diseases that could spread, globalization can make food safety more complex and so much
more. It will offer some insight on how you can prevent foodborne illnesses. Everyone plays a
role in keeping food safe.
https://www.fns.usda.gov/ofs/food-safety
The Office of Food Safetys mission is to protect people served by FNS programs from
foodborne illness. We do this by developing food safety education, instruction and technical
assistance resources to support FNS program operators. We rely on science based food safety
research and work closely with external food safety partners to make sure that our resources
are useful and reflect current knowledge. They offer information on food safety for childrens
programs, food recalls, videos on the importance of food safety.

Topic 3: Obesity Epidemic

http://www.globalissues.org/article/558/obesity
The website offers statistics to the obesity epidemic that affects the world. Obesity can affect
the rich and the poor. There are so many health problems associated with being overweight,
such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, some cancers and more. This doesnt just affect
women and men, it affects children as well.
http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/29-most-obese-countries-in-the-world.html
The United States is the most obese country in North America with 35% of its population having
a body mass index of over 30.0 Nearly 78 million adults and 13 million children in the United
States deal with the health and emotional effects of obesity every day. Topping the list are
small Pacific Island nations such as Samoa, Tonga and Kiribati, to name a few. Approximately
four of every five citizens of these countries are obese or overweight. The reason is almost all of
the food these island nations are imported and therefore expensive, but fast-food chains offer a
cheap and convenient alternative. So this isnt just a problem in the United States, its a
problem with the fast food industry reaching around the globe now.
http://www.latimes.com/la-op-dustup21sep21-story.html
This article talks about how obesity affects different cultures and races. It also talks about the
hard facts about access to healthy foods if you are living in poverty. It is cheaper to buy the bad
processed foods than it is to buy fresh foods. People living in poverty are generally living in bad
neighborhoods, so letting kids run around outside or going for walks just doesnt happen.
Theres a declining number of grocery stores in inner cities so if you dont have a car, it is hard
to get to the store to buy food.

Other important websites:

https://www.choosemyplate.gov/
This resource tool is wonderful to help with understanding portion sizes and what foods should
be put into each category. Fruits, grains, vegetables, proteins and dairy all should be in your
diet but by understanding how much at any meal is important to healthy eating.