Arizona WIC Training
Basic Nutrition Course
Nutrition Educator Guidebook
Basic Nutrition Course| Arizona WIC Training| Nutrition Educator Guidebook
Table of Contents
Nutrition Educator Guidebook
What Will You Learn?
Instruction Level
Items Needed for this Course
Recommended Time
Things to Remember
Module 1: Nutrition Basics &
Carbohydrates, Fats, and Proteins (Lessons 1 and 2)
Basic Nutrition Activity 1
Basic Nutrition Activity 2
Module 1: Vitamins, Minerals, & Water (Lessons 3, 4, and 5)
Basic Nutrition Activity 3
Basic Nutrition Activity 4
Basic Nutrition Activity 5
Module 2: Nutrition Guidelines & Standards
Basic Nutrition Activity 6
Module 3: Special Considerations
Basic Nutrition Activity 7
Post-test Completion
Other training topics related to Basic Nutrition
Competency Achievement Checklist
page 3
page 3
page 3
page 4
page 4
page 5
page 6
page 7
page 8
page 9
page 10
page 11
page 12
page 13
page 14
page 15
page 16
page 16
page 17
Basic Nutrition Course| Arizona WIC Training| Nutrition Educator Guidebook
What Will You Learn?
Understanding basic nutrition is a powerful way to make a difference in your WIC participants lives.
You will be able to help WIC participants make choices to help them achieve their goals for better
health.
The Basic Nutrition LMS course consists of three Modules:
Module 1: Intro to Nutrition
Lesson: Nutrition Basics
Lesson: Carbohydrates, Fats, and Proteins
Lesson: Vitamins
Lesson: Minerals
Lesson: Water
Module 2: Nutrition Guidelines and Standards
Module 3: Special Considerations
After completing the Basic Nutrition LMS course, you will:
Identify food sources of saturated, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated fat, and trans fat.
Identify protein sources.
Identify fiber sources.
List food sources of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Calcium, and Iron.
Describe the relationship between calcium and iron in absorption.
List three nutrition tips found on the myplate.gov website.
Discuss weight and BMI status.
List weight management strategies for someone who is overweight.
Instruction Level
Prerequisite for taking the Basic Nutrition course: None
Items Needed for this Course
Pen or pencil
Access to the website www.choosemyplate.gov
Basic Nutrition Course| Arizona WIC Training| Nutrition Educator Guidebook
Recommended Time
Approximate time it takes to complete the Basic Nutrition LMS course: 2-3 hours
Approximate time it takes to complete the face-to-face activities and discussion: 2-3 hours
Things to Remember
This guidebook is yours to keep.
Feel free to take notes, highlight, or write in the guidebook.
Ask your trainer(s) if you need help, have questions about the information in the basic
nutrition course, or have questions about additional topics related to basic nutrition.
Your trainer will be assessing your understanding of the basic nutrition information throughout
the duration of the course training. The training activities consist of WIC relevant topics and
require critical thinking skills to complete. Participation in the face-to-face activities and
discussions is expected and essential to successfully complete the basic nutrition course.
Please see the Competency Achievement Checklist at the end of this guidebook.
Basic Nutrition Course| Arizona WIC Training| Nutrition Educator Guidebook
Module 1: Intro to Nutrition
Lessons: Nutrition Basics & Carbohydrates, Fats, and Proteins
Begin the LMS Basic Nutrition Course. Please complete the steps in the following order:
Log onto https://az.train.org/DesktopShell.aspx
Complete the Basic Nutrition Pre-Test.
Open the Basic Nutrition Online Course.
Optional: open the Basic Nutrition Course Companion Manual to reference
throughout the course. Locate the Course Companion Manual by clicking on the
Resources button within the LMS course.
Complete the following two lessons in Module 1: Nutrition Basics &
Carbohydrates, Fats, and Proteins
Complete Basic Nutrition Activities 1 and 2, either individually, with the other
nutrition educator(s), or with your trainer.
Meet with your trainer to discuss the Nutrition Basics & Carbohydrates, Fats, and
Proteins lessons and complete the Think It Through sections for activities 1 and 2.
Basic Nutrition Course| Arizona WIC Training| Nutrition Educator Guidebook
Basic Nutrition Activity 1
Instructions: Identify the main type of fat found in each food source (saturated, monounsaturated,
polyunsaturated, and trans fat). (Module 1, Slides 29, 30, 31, and 32)
Food Source
Type of Fat (s)
Olives
Whole Milk and Cheese
Stick Margarine
Fried foods such as French fries
Canola oil
Walnuts
Beef and Pork (certain cuts)
Fatty Seafood (ie: salmon and tuna)
Avocado
Butter and cream
Peanut Butter (non-hydrogenated type)
Baked goods such as cookies and crackers
Soybeans
Think It Through:
a. When talking to a WIC participant, what are some suggestions for beginning a conversation
about dietary fat intake?
b. What can a WIC participant do to keep fat in the diet at an acceptable level (Module 1, Slide 33)?
Hint:
If needed, each activity identifies a specific slide(s) in the course in which you can find
the information necessary to complete the activity.
Basic Nutrition Course| Arizona WIC Training| Nutrition Educator Guidebook
Basic Nutrition Activity 2
Instructions: Create a sample Breakfast and Lunch meal for a 3-4 year old. Both meals shall be
well-balanced and include at least one fiber containing food and at least one protein containing food.
(Module 1, Slides 24, 25, 26, 27, and 39)
Breakfast
Lunch
Think It Through:
a. What does well-balanced mean to you?
b. Why is it important to include fiber in the diet regularly (Module 1, Slide 24 and 26)?
c. Why is it important to include protein in the diet regularly (Module 1, Slide 38)?
Hint:
If needed, each activity identifies a specific slide(s) in the course in which you can find
the information necessary to complete the activity.
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Basic Nutrition Course| Arizona WIC Training| Nutrition Educator Guidebook
Module 1: Intro to Nutrition
Lessons: Vitamins, Minerals, & Water
Return to the LMS Basic Nutrition Course. Please complete the steps in the following
order:
Log back onto https://az.train.org/DesktopShell.aspx
If necessary, re-open the Basic Nutrition Online Course.
Complete the following three lessons in Module 1: Vitamins, Minerals, and Water
Complete Basic Nutrition Activities 3, 4, and 5, either individually, with the other
nutrition educator(s), or with your trainer.
Meet with your trainer to discuss the Vitamins, Minerals, and Water lessons and
complete the Think It Through sections for activities 3 and 5.
Basic Nutrition Course| Arizona WIC Training| Nutrition Educator Guidebook
Basic Nutrition Activity 3
Instructions: Analyze the 24-hour diet recall for a pregnant WIC participant. In the checkbox, identify
whether each food item contains Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Folic Acid, or none of the three. Some food items
have more than one or no answers. (Module 1, Slides 49, 50, 52, and 53)
Meal
7:30am
10:00am
12:00pm
3:30pm
6:30pm
Foods Eaten
Vitamin C
Vitamin A
Folic Acid
Oatmeal prepared with skim milk
1 Egg
Orange slices
1 slice Whole Wheat bread
1 Tbsp. Peanut butter
c. Mango
Water
Turkey sandwich made with: Whole wheat bread
Turkey
Cheddar cheese
Spinach leaves
1 c. Yogurt
1 c. Strawberries
Water
Handful of Almonds
1 c. Skim Milk
2 Corn Tortillas
Pinto Beans
Shredded Chicken
Sauted Green and Red Peppers
Brown Rice
Water
Think It Through:
a. What are the benefits of including Vitamin A in your diet (Module 1, Slide 49)?
b. What are the benefits of including Vitamin C in your diet (Module 1, Slide 50)?
c. What are the benefits of including Folic Acid in your diet (Module 1, Slide 52)?
Hint:
If needed, each activity identifies a specific slide(s) in the course in which you can find
the information necessary to complete the activity.
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Basic Nutrition Course| Arizona WIC Training| Nutrition Educator Guidebook
Basic Nutrition Activity 4
Instructions: In the table below, list at least three foods rich in each nutrient. Avoid listing foods
already reviewed in Activity 3. (Module 1, Slides 39, 49, 50, 68, and 72)
Protein
Calcium
Iron
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Hint:
If needed, each activity identifies a specific slide(s) within the course in which you can
find the information necessary to complete the activity.
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Basic Nutrition Course| Arizona WIC Training| Nutrition Educator Guidebook
Basic Nutrition Activity 5
Mock Scenario: You are certifying a 3 year old male. After talking with the childs authorized
representative, you are able to complete the childs WIC assessment using the ABCDE method.
ANTHROPOMETRIC: weight and height are within healthy limits
BIOCHEMICAL: Hemoglobin: 9.9 g/dL (healthy range for 2-5 years old: 11.1 16.0 g/dL)
CLINICAL: n/a
DIETARY: Mom describes her child as a picky eater. He dislikes chicken, red meat, beans, and eggs, and
if mom tries feeding him meat, he spits it out. His favorite foods include potatoes, vegetable soup, WIC
cold cereal, and cheese. Fruits and vegetables he eats include watermelon, banana, grapes, mango,
corn, carrots, potatoes, and green peas. Mom states he eats sweets, such as cookies, sweet bread, and
sweetened cereals and they eat fast food 2x per week.
He reportedly drinks 32 ounces of 1% milk per day, and also reports drinking juice, fresca, kool-aid,
gatorade, and soda. She tells you he drinks 8 ounces of water per day.
ENVIRONMENTAL/OTHER FACTORS: no medications or vitamins/minerals reported
Think It Through:
a. What iron containing foods does this child eat? (Module 1, Slides 72 and 73)
b. What factors put this child at risk for iron deficiency? (Module 1, Slide 74 and 75)
c. What are two possible topics you could discuss with the childs authorized representative for
increasing iron intake? (Module 1, Slides 72, 73, 74, and 75)
d. What is the relationship between calcium intake and iron absorption? (Module 1, Slide 75)
Hint:
If needed, each activity identifies a specific slide(s) within the course in which you can
find the information necessary to complete the activity.
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Basic Nutrition Course| Arizona WIC Training| Nutrition Educator Guidebook
Module 2: Nutrition Guidelines and Standards
Return to the LMS Basic Nutrition Course. Please complete the steps in the following
order:
If necessary, log back onto https://az.train.org/DesktopShell.aspx
If necessary, re-open the Basic Nutrition Online Course.
Complete Module 2: Nutrition Guidelines and Standards
Complete Basic Nutrition Activity 6, either individually, with the other nutrition
educator(s), or with your trainer.
Meet with your trainer to discuss the Nutrition Guidelines and Standards module
and complete the Think It Through sections for activity 6.
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Basic Nutrition Course| Arizona WIC Training| Nutrition Educator Guidebook
Basic Nutrition Activity 6
MyPlate
Scavenger Hunt
Instructions: Navigate to the website, http://www.choosemyplate.gov. This website is a resource you
may bookmark on your computer to share with participants later.
1. Name three tips for eating healthy on a budget.
2. Name three tips for helping picky eaters try new foods (preschoolers section).
3. What foods are examples of whole grains?
4. What are three tips for parents to cut back on their childs sweet treats?
5. What is the recommended intake for vegetables for a preschooler?
Think It Through:
a. With your trainer, discuss your experience using this section of the ChooseMyPlate.gov website.
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Basic Nutrition Course| Arizona WIC Training| Nutrition Educator Guidebook
Module 3: Special Considerations
Return to the LMS Basic Nutrition Course. Please complete the steps in the following
order:
If necessary, log back onto https://az.train.org/DesktopShell.aspx
If necessary, re-open the Basic Nutrition Online Course.
Complete Module 3: Special Considerations
Complete Basic Nutrition Activity 7, either individually, with the other nutrition
educator(s), or with your trainer.
Meet with your trainer to discuss the Special Considerations module and complete
the Think It Through section for activity 7.
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Basic Nutrition Course| Arizona WIC Training| Nutrition Educator Guidebook
Basic Nutrition Activity 7
Mock Scenario: You are certifying a postpartum WIC participant. After greeting the participant, you are
able to complete her WIC assessment using the ABCDE method.
ANTHROPOMETRIC:
Current Weight: 158 pounds
Pre-pregnancy weight: 128 pounds
Height: 55
BMI: 28.4
The participant says she is interested in losing weight and would like to lose 30 pounds.
BIOCHEMICAL: n/a
CLINICAL: The participant recently went to the dentist and had two cavities repaired. She takes
prenatal vitamins.
DIETARY: The participant drinks 16 ounces of juice per day, soda 2x per week, and kool-aid occasionally.
She tells you she drinks about 16 ounces of water per day. She states she craves sweets and reports
eating sweets every day, particularly cookies and pastries. She reports eating fast food 3x per week.
She states she doesnt eat enough vegetables, and she does like to eat bananas, melon, apples, carrots,
and potatoes. Purchases white bread.
ENVIRONMENTAL/OTHER FACTORS: n/a
Think It Through:
a. What can you tell the participant about energy balance and calories? (Module 3, Slide 11)
b. Where do you find the participants BMI in the WIC computer system?
c. What is the participants current BMI weight status? (Module 3, Slide 7)
d. Review the information gathered in the ABCDE assessment to determine what may be
preventing her from losing her postpartum weight. If the WIC participant asks for suggestions to
promote weight loss, what are some possible responses? (Module 3, Slides 9 and 12)
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Basic Nutrition Course| Arizona WIC Training| Nutrition Educator Guidebook
q Basic Nutrition Post-Test Completion
Return to the LMS Basic Nutrition Course
Log onto https://az.train.org/DesktopShell.aspx
Complete the Basic Nutrition Post-Test.
Share the results of your Post-test with your trainer.
Other Training Topics related to Basic Nutrition
Nutrition Educator: Thoroughly review each training topic with your trainer. Have your
trainer initial each training topic to verify completion of each topic.
Training Topic
Trainers Initials
Milk and Milk Alternatives
Milk and Milk alternatives Presentation
OR equivalent milk and milk alternatives training.
Review Milk Alternatives Rx form
Food Package
Food Package presentation
OR equivalent food package training
Indicates a training presentation is available on Arizona WICs Resource Center
website.
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Basic Nutrition Course| Arizona WIC Training| Nutrition Educator Guidebook
Competency Achievement Checklist / Basic Nutrition Curriculum
Nutrition Educators Name_____________________________________________________________
Local Agency________________________________________________________________________
Trainer: Evaluate the nutrition educators competency of the basic nutrition information upon
completion of the LMS course, all learning activities, and all discussion.
At this checkpoint:
Competency Achievement Checklist
Basic Nutrition Curriculum
Evaluate this:
LMS Pre-test
Nutrition educator completed the LMS Pre-test.
Learning Activities
Nutrition educator accurately completed all
activities specified for this course.
Competency
Achievement Date:
Initials
All activities were discussed with the nutrition
educator and reviewed for accuracy.
Competencies
LMS Post-test
Nutrition educator is able to identify food
sources of saturated, polyunsaturated,
monounsaturated fat, and trans fat.
Nutrition educator is able to identify protein
sources.
Nutrition educator is able to identify fiber
sources.
Nutrition educator is able to list food sources of
Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Calcium, and
Iron.
Nutrition educator is able to describe the
relationship between calcium and iron in
absorption.
Nutrition educator is able to list three nutrition
tips found on the myplate.gov website.
Nutrition educator is able to discuss weight and
BMI status.
Nutrition educator is able to list weight
management strategies for someone who is
overweight.
Nutrition educator has achieved a score of 80%
or better.
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Basic Nutrition Course| Arizona WIC Training| Nutrition Educator Guidebook
I verify __________________________________________________ has achieved the learning
objectives of the Online Basic Nutrition Course and is competent to continue with WIC training.
The nutrition educator meets the criteria set by the State to receive a Certificate of Completion for this
course.
Trainer(s) Signature __________________________________________ Date______________________
*File this signed competency achievement checklist in the appropriate employee training file, in
accordance with WIC policy.
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