The course covers the digestive system, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and nutrients. Included are: calories, RDAs, cholesterol, carbohydrates, proteins, vegetarian diets, food allergies and food poisoning. This is ideal for any complementary therapist who wishes to be able to give more guidance to their clients on healthy eating and the holistic approach. The main aim of the ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Diet and Nutrition for the Complementary Therapist is to enable candidates to provide healthy eating advice for their clients whom they already treat for another therapy for the purpose of improving health and lifestyle. It also aims: • to provide skills at Level 3 in the National Qualification Framework for those interested in the Complementary Therapy/Care industry • to provide opportunities for staff in the Complementary Therapy/ Care industry to gain a Level 3 qualification • to sustain the interest of candidates wanting to work in the Complementary Therapy industry • to encourage knowledge and understanding for the Complementary Therapy/Care industry at Level 3 • to provide opportunities for candidates to focus on the development of the major Key Skills and the wider Key Skills in a Therapy context such as communicating with clients, working with others and problem solving. The candidate will study the theory of the main nutrients required for a healthy diet as well as deficiencies, disorders and key illnesses associated with diet. Additionally they will develop underpinning knowledge and skills required to successfully compose a dietary plan. Case studies are also required to be completed for this award. The case studies form the internal assessment and should be assessed throughout the training by the tutor using the ITEC Case Study Guidance sheet. The case studies are then verified by an ITEC Examiner at the end of the course. The case studies ensure that a variety of clients are consulted and the outcomes of any dietary changes must be documented in order to gain experience of working with a variety of clients and conditions whilst candidates are still under supervision. Detailed rationales for the type of dietary changes and outcomes must be shown. The examination consists of the following: • Unit 7 Diet and Nutrition for Complementary Therapists multiple choice theory paper of 30 minutes duration, with a total of 25 questions • Assessment of ALL case studies by the College Lecturer and External Verification by an ITEC Examiner. As indicated above, all aspects of the award are examined and/or verified externally by ITEC Examiners.