Project "Meals on Wheels"

Everything started when the owner of “Meals on Wheels”, Sarah Jones, decided to hire us, nutritionists. A task was given to my group; team violet. We needed to choose from the three given menus; a healthy and balanced menu for a long-term period and for one week quick weight loss. It was asked to evaluate each menu and decide which fits on the company list.  The group was supposed to research the consequences from the lack or excess of nutrients in each menu. Not only did we have to evaluate the menus but to explain the directors´ board the reasons for our choices.

Our team´s first goals were to list the things we needed to research and assign a role to each member. However, the plan didn´t work properly because the work wasn´t divided evenly among the group. Hopefully, a sign of optimism appeared- the teacher´s clarification of the task. So, we created a new plan divided in four parts: introduction, menu 1, menu 2, and menu 3 evaluation and research. While working on the third menu, I discovered some of the consequences of lacking vitamins and minerals: scurvy, myxedema, blindness, etc.

Though, which was our final decision? We chose menu #1 as a short term diet since it lacks proteins and fat. This is a fine way of losing weight, though, not a long term period due to the health problems it will cause you. Inadequate levels of proteins during a long time will you’re your body´s ability to regulate blood sugar. Lacking fat for a long period will affect the protection of vital organs such as the heart. On the other hand, my group chose menu #2 as long term diet because it includes small amounts of all nutrients and provides you with snacks throughout the day. 

Overall, this project did contribute on my science knowledge by providing me with information about the lack or excess of each nutrient. This was done by either my own research or/and by the oral presentations.  Also, it let me work on different skills such as leadership, organizational, teamwork, and time management. It was complicated to express my opinion in my group since I´m quiet by nature. Yet, I felt confident about my own knowledge and could solve my groups’ doubts and make decisions to improve the projects quality more easily.

Science project 9

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