Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nutrition in human health -- Carbohydrates -- Fats -- Protein -- Energy balance -- Vitamins -- Minerals -- Water -- Digestion, absorption, metabolism, and excretion -- Life cycle nutrition: pregnancy and lactation -- Life cycle nutrition: infancy, childhood, and adolescence -- Life cycle nutrition: the mature adult -- Food management -- Nutrient delivery -- Interactions : food and nutrients vs. medications and supplements? -- Weight management -- Diet in diabetes mellitus and hypoglycemia -- Diet in cardiovascular disease -- Diet in renal disease -- Diet in digestive diseases -- Diet and cancer -- Nutrition in critical care -- Diet in HIV and AIDS -- Nutritional care of the terminally ill.

This popular text provides a strong foundation in the science of nutrition and a clear understanding of how to apply that knowledge in practice, recognizing the need for nurses to work with other healthcare professionals to ensure optimal nutrition in patient care. Thoroughly updated and revised, it combines nursing care with the nutritional information pertinent to today's classroom and clinical practice settings