Nutritional Requirements

  • Author: L Kelly
  • Level: 3
  • Study time:  hours 9 mins
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Lesson series
Good nutrition is essential for maintaining overall health, supporting recovery, and preventing illness. This course covers the fundamentals of nutrition, dietary requirements, food preparation, and how different life stages and health conditions impact nutritional needs. You'll learn about food groups, portion sizes, adaptive strategies for supporting eating and drinking, and how culture influences diet. By understanding these principles, you can better support those in your care to maintain a balanced diet and overall wellbeing.
  • Video time: X hours
  • Exams: X
  • Video time: X hours
Lesson series

Why this course is important?


Nutrition plays a critical role in health and wellbeing, yet many factors—such as aging, medical conditions, and personal or cultural preferences—can impact dietary needs. Poor nutrition can lead to malnutrition, weakened immunity, and slower recovery from illness or injury. As a support worker, you need to recognise and respond to the specific dietary needs of those in your care. This training will help you identify barriers to proper nutrition, understand dietary modifications, and ensure that individuals receive meals that support their health. You'll also learn how to accommodate cultural food preferences, work with special diets, and assist with feeding when necessary. By completing this training, you'll be equipped to make a positive impact on the health and quality of life of those you support.
Meet the instructor

Leigh Kelly

Leigh Kelly is a New Zealand Registered Nurse who has been working with the elderly and disabled since 1974. Her ADN focused on young physically disabled.

She has been a Charge Nurse at Kenepuru and Greenlane Hospitals Continuing Care Wards, owned her own dementia specific rest home and worked and managed rest homes.

She also has vast experience as a RN in continuing care facilities.
Patrick Jones - Course author