This 3-hour course teaches students to identify and assist their patients in making healthy food choices. It defines the five food groups, nutrient types, vitamins, and minerals, and the characteristics of a well-balanced diet. Students will learn to conduct a nutritional assessment, develop a food plan, interpret food labels, and identify food safety and handling practices. Students will also be introduced to nutritional considerations for special groups. This course covers the following: nutrition in health; nutritional assessment and planning; and nutritional considerations for special groups.

Upon completing this course, students will:

• Understand the need for nutrition in health
• Be able to identify the components of a well-balanced diet for a healthy adult
• Understand how to conduct a nutritional assessment
• Be able to differentiate nutritional considerations associated with chronic conditions and physiologic changes in the older adult

Nutrition and Wellness may be taught as a stand-alone course, or as a component of NAEMT’s Community Paramedicine curriculum. This course may be offered to all paramedics and other out-of-hospital healthcare providers.