Dietary Restrictions

Suggested Duration: 3 Hours

"Living with diabetes has never stopped me from accomplishing my dreams, so it shouldn't stop you. Control your diabetes. Don't let your diabetes control you."

Max Domi, Canadian NHL Player, Author & Diabetes/Celiac Advocate

Most people take the process of eating for granted, but for those with digestive disorders or severe allergies, every meal requires a strategy. In this module, you will trace the path of the digestive system, investigate the critical role of vitamins and minerals, and learn how to adapt nutrition for various health conditions.


The Digestive System

Before we can look at what goes wrong with nutrition, we need to understand the "machinery." Your digestive system is a complex assembly line that breaks down food into the nutrients your body needs to survive.

  • Watch: The Digestive System - How it Works
  • Reflect: As you watch, identify the specific organs responsible for nutrient absorption. How might a disease in one of these areas disrupt your overall health?

Essential Vitamins & Minerals

Beyond calories, your body requires specific micronutrients to function. A lack of even one essential vitamin can lead to significant health issues.

  • Explore: Listing of Vitamins - Harvard Health
  • Investigate: Pick one nutrient from the list. Find 2–3 online resources to identify what a deficiency in that specific nutrient looks like (e.g., what happens to the body if you don't get enough Vitamin D or Iron?).

Common Digestive Disorders

Many people live with conditions that prevent their digestive systems from working properly, requiring them to completely redesign their diets.

  • Research: List of Digestive Disorders - Medical News Today
  • Task: Choose one disorder (such as Celiac disease, Crohn’s, or IBS). Investigate 1–2 resources to find out how that disorder changes a person’s nutritional requirements.

Allergies & Anaphylaxis

Food allergies range from mild discomfort to life-threatening emergencies. Understanding the spectrum of these reactions is vital for personal and community safety.


Digestive Disorder Advisory Video

Using the research you gathered in the previous sections, you will use Canva.com to create a resource to help others manage their nutritional health.

You have full access to Canva with your @asyncacademy account. Just choose "Log in with Google".

πŸ’‘

Video Recording Tip: You are highly encouraged to use Canva's free video templates, stock media, and slides to make your presentation visually appealing. Practice your delivery beforehand to speak clearly, maintain eye contact, and present with a professional, supportive tone.

  • Task: Pick one ailment (a digestive disorder or a severe allergy) that affects how a person gets nutrition from their food.
  • Record: A 2-3 minute video presentation designed as an educational guide or PSA for someone recently diagnosed with this condition.
  • Content: Include a "redesign" plan for their diet. What should they avoid? What should they add? How can they ensure they are still getting their essential vitamins and minerals?

Deliverable:

πŸ“€

Digestive Disorder Advisory Video

Submit your completed video recording as an MP4 (.mp4) file using the course app submission portal.

Assessment

Pre-Submission

Before you submit, please complete the Pre-Submission Self-Assessment.

What to Turn In

  • πŸ“€

    Digestive Disorder Advisory Video (.mp4 file)

πŸ’‘ A Different Way to Learn

Async Academy courses are inquiry-based. There are no rote answer keys or multiple-choice worksheets here. You learn by exploring, questioning, and building projects you care about.

Because your discovery path is completely unique, you need a human sounding board. Enroll to submit your projects and get personalized video feedback from an Ontario Certified Teacher to guide your work.

Learning Goals

We are learning to:

  • 🎯

    Understand the anatomy of the digestive system and its role in nutrient absorption

  • 🎯

    Investigate how digestive disorders and food allergies necessitate dietary strategies

  • 🎯

    Develop practical resources to help individuals manage nutritional requirements despite health challenges

Success Criteria

I can:

  • βœ…

    Explain how specific digestive disorders or allergies affect the body's ability to get the nutrients it needs

    Expectations Covered: C2
  • βœ…

    Strategize a dietary plan for a person with a specific health condition to ensure they meet their nutritional goals

    Expectations Covered: C2
  • βœ…

    Identify ways to redesign a kitchen or eating environment to accommodate someone with severe food allergies or disorders

    Expectations Covered: C3
  • βœ…

    Create a video resource that clearly outlines the symptoms and management of a digestive ailment

    Expectations Covered: C2

Rubric

Category Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1
Health Concepts & Deficiencies (Knowledge / Understanding)
How accurately does the student explain the physiological impact of the disorder/allergy and its effect on nutrient/vitamin absorption?
Explains the physiological impact and nutrient absorption challenges with high accuracy and scientific detail Explains the physiological impact and nutrient absorption challenges clearly and with appropriate detail Explains some physiological impacts or nutrient absorption challenges with basic understanding Explains physiological impacts with limited accuracy or detail
Oral & Visual Communication (Communication)
How clearly, engagingly, and professionally does the student present their warning and facts in the video?
Communicates ideas in the video with a high degree of clarity, visual interest, and a professional, respectful tone Communicates ideas in the video clearly, with good visual interest and tone Communicates ideas in the video with basic clarity and organization Communicates ideas in the video with limited clarity or organization
Dietary Planning & Environmental Redesign (Thinking / Inquiry)
How effectively does the student design dietary strategies and environmental adaptations for individuals with digestive disorders/allergies?
Develops exceptionally practical, highly detailed dietary plans and creative, thorough environmental adaptations. Develops realistic dietary plans and solid environmental adaptations. Develops basic dietary plans and environmental adaptations with some relevance. Develops weak or incomplete dietary plans and environmental adaptations.
Health Concepts & Deficiencies (Knowledge / Understanding)
Criteria: How accurately does the student explain the physiological impact of the disorder/allergy and its effect on nutrient/vitamin absorption?
Level 4

Explains the physiological impact and nutrient absorption challenges with high accuracy and scientific detail

Level 3

Explains the physiological impact and nutrient absorption challenges clearly and with appropriate detail

Level 2

Explains some physiological impacts or nutrient absorption challenges with basic understanding

Level 1

Explains physiological impacts with limited accuracy or detail

Oral & Visual Communication (Communication)
Criteria: How clearly, engagingly, and professionally does the student present their warning and facts in the video?
Level 4

Communicates ideas in the video with a high degree of clarity, visual interest, and a professional, respectful tone

Level 3

Communicates ideas in the video clearly, with good visual interest and tone

Level 2

Communicates ideas in the video with basic clarity and organization

Level 1

Communicates ideas in the video with limited clarity or organization

Dietary Planning & Environmental Redesign (Thinking / Inquiry)
Criteria: How effectively does the student design dietary strategies and environmental adaptations for individuals with digestive disorders/allergies?
Level 4

Develops exceptionally practical, highly detailed dietary plans and creative, thorough environmental adaptations.

Level 3

Develops realistic dietary plans and solid environmental adaptations.

Level 2

Develops basic dietary plans and environmental adaptations with some relevance.

Level 1

Develops weak or incomplete dietary plans and environmental adaptations.