In your second Personal Nutrition Journal, you will analyze your carbohydrate intake and assess your risk of developing some of the many chronic diseases associated with obesity – diabetes Type 2, certain cancers, atherosclerosis, and other forms of CVD, etc. Carbohydrates are often blamed for obesity, but as we have learned, there are many other factors involved in that condition. Genetics, activity level, and any of the macronutrients, if taken in excess of the recommended proportions relative to total caloric intake are all factors that contribute to obesity.
Because of the quiz on Learning Module I, you are not required to track your food intake for new days. Instead, you can use the calorie assessment from your first personal nutrition journal last week. However, if you want to track a new day this week, only one day is required.
In this Journal, you’ll first want to determine if the the proportion of calories from carbohydrates is aligned with the recommendations for proportionality, but beyond that, we want to consider the types of carbohydrates that contribute to those calories. So in your discussion, you’ll answer the following questions, based on your analysis of your Calorie Assessment of PNJ 1 or the new day you tracked this week:
Is your total calorie intake of carbohydrates proportionate – is it within the recommended range of 45-65% of total caloric intake? If not, state why.
Is your intake of added sugars within the recommended limit of 10% of your total caloric intake? If not, what foods did you consume last week that may have contributed to the excess? (You may wnt to go back and review your food journal)
Is your fiber intake within the recommended range?
Are half of your carbohydrates from from whole grains?