Nutrition
From Simmons Library Research Guides
We have selected these resources to help you find relevant information on your research topic. Please contact a librarian for help using the resources listed in this guide or for help with your research process.
Contents |
Reference and Background Information
Search for Reference sources that contain information about your specific research topic here:
You may also consult the resources below for overviews of the topic that you have chosen to research. Use these resources to help you to put your topic in context and give you the big picture of what information exists about your topic. These resources may have bibliographies at the end of each entry that can help further your research.
- CRC Desk Reference for Nutrition
Level 1 Reference QP141 .B523 2005
Included in this reference book are the many drugs that are used to manage nutrition-related conditions. This source contains content such as general information about meal planning and food selection, as well as metabolic maps. Terms of importance to nutritionists, dietitians, and clinical practitioners are listed alphabetically.
- Dictionary of Nutrition and Food Technology
Level 1 Reference TX349 .B4 1990
Defines a wide range of foods, chemicals, equipment, techniques, and other technical terms related to nutrition and food composition. Be sure to also see the appendix of useful tables, including prefixes and symbols, and recommended intakes.
- Encyclopedia of Foods : a Guide to Healthy Nutrition
Level 1 Reference TX349 .E482 2002
- Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition
Level 1 Reference QP141 .E526 2005
This reference source contains entries on nutrition topics, as well as other topics, such as age groups, diseases, minerals, vitamins, and select foods. The encyclopedia reflects the transformation of nutrition into a multidisciplinary field, affected by new discoveries, like the mapping of the human genome. The encyclopedia's well-organized layout includes a table of contents (at the beginning of each volume), impressive illustrations, tables, color photos, and further reading lists.
- Food & Nutrition Encyclopedia
Level 1 Reference TX349 .F575 1994
Subject covered within this source include the three general topics of foods, nutrition, and health. Information about these three subjects are drawn from chemistry, biochemistry, physics, microbiology, physiology, medicine, genetics, mathematics, endocrinology, cellular biology, and genetic engineering. This encyclopedia is alphabetized, vary in length from one paragraph to a couple of pages, and includes charts and images.
- Food and Nutrition Information Center
Level 1 Reference Z695.1.N84 F66 1982 and Free Online
The Food and Nutrition Information Center, a department of the U.S Department of Agriculture, this web page provides free, extensive information from government agencies such as the FDA about nutrition related topics. The topics range from food stamps to the new food pyramid to childhood obesity. This information is intended for nutrition professionals to convey to their patients.
Tip: Click on "See Topics A-Z" for an organized overview of all information covered on this web page.
- The Mount Sinai School of Medicine Complete Book of Nutrition
Level 1 Reference RM217.2 .M68 1990
Written as a comprehensive nutrition guide, topics covered within this source include basic nutrition, nutrition and the life cycle, interaction of nutrition and disease, special issues (eg, weight control, the athlete), and consumer issues (eg, food shopping, storage, and eating away from home). Entires run several pages long and are written in an essay format, also includes charts and tables.
- International Food Information Council
Free Online
The goal of this free web page from the International Food Information Council is to convey the latest news and information about food safety and nutrition to the public. The web page provides the most up-to-date information about timely issues (such as food safety),clear explanations of nutrition concepts and definitions, dietary guidance, along with a great deal of other information suited for nutrition professionals and consumers.
- Nutrition Almanac
Level 1 Reference RA784 .N837 2002 and Simmons Eresource
An almanac that offers reliable information on the latest discoveries within the field of nutrition and all of the fact for healthy living. This source includes useful charts and tables, and is section into five parts, discussing nutrients, alternative medicine and therapies, health conditions, foods, and diet and food composition.
- The Nutrition and Health Dictionary
Level 1 Reference QP141 .R93 1995
This dictionary provides detailed, extensive definitions for food and nutrition related terminology, but focuses primarily on nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, etc . . .). Entries, which are often over a page long, include related charts, illustrations, and diagrams.
Diets and Dietary Guidelines
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Free Online
Find all of the latest U.S government dietary guidelines here for free. You can view or download the 2005 Dietary Guidelines, pamphlets to aid healthier eating, tools for nutrition professionals, and much more, all for free.
- My Pyramid
Free Online
This web page is more than just a guideline to the new Food Pyramid. Users can create a personal eating plan to suit their unique nutritional needs, use an interactive map of the pyramid, learn tips for healthy eating and weight loss, along with much more. This is a very user friendly, organized resource that can be of a great help to consumers and nutrition professionals.
Food Additives and Safety
- Encyclopedia of Clinical Toxicology: A Comprehensive Guide and Reference to the Toxicology of Prescription and OTC Drugs, Chemicals, Herbals, Plants, Fungi, Marine Life, Reptiles and Insect Venoms, Food Ingredients, Clothing, and Environmental Toxins
Level 1 Reference RA1193 .R67 2002
This encyclopedia lists possible toxins alphabetically (in the above areas). Case reports are listed, as well as uses and effects. Examples of entries include "abacavir", "mefruside", and "wool."
- Food Additives Handbook
Level 1 Reference RA1270.F6 L49 1989
Look up any food additive, such as corn oil, alphabetically and find out information about the purpose of the additive, what foods it is used in, the molecular formula, toxicity data, a safety profile, and much more.
- Food safety: A Reference Handbook
Level 1 Reference TX531 .R44 2000
This is a guide to all of the important organizations, people, statistics, bacteria, diseases, and relevant resources,related to food safety and dietary health.
- Safety of Chemicals in Food: Chemical Contaminants
Level 1 Reference TX531 .S225 1993
This is a guide to the chemicals found in foods, and how they may harm, contaminate, and impact food and diet. The book is organized according to the type of food chemical, such as naturally occurring toxicants, and then delves into detailed examinations of individual chemicals, and their characteristics.
Food Composition
- Bowes & Church's Food Values of Portions Commonly Used
Level 1 Reference TX551 .P385 2005
This reference work is made up almost entirely of tables that provide data related to nutrient content of different foods, ingredients, and and other edible substances. The main chart of the book is organized according to food groups, such as the cereals and grains group, and according to food type, such as candy or frozen food. The charts provide information such as vitamin and mineral content, and grams of fat per serving for each food. There are also useful supplementary tables.
- Dictionary of Food Ingredients
Level 1 Reference TX551 .I26 1989
Defines all major food ingredients, including common ingredients such as eggs and less known ones such as vanaspati. Entries are organized alphabetically and include chemical formulas, and related terms, as well as concise, but detailed definitions.
- Food Chemicals Codex
Level 1 Reference TP455 .F66 1996
Provides detailed descriptions, functions, requirements, and tests for major chemicals used in food. Diagrams, charts, and illustrations are provided when necessary.
- Food Chemistry
Level 1 Reference TX545 .B3513 2004
From amino acids and proteins to the chemistry of contamination, this book guides students through the intricacies of food chemistry and technology. Contains over 620 tables and 472 figures.
- Nutrient Data Laboratory
Free Online
Meant for nutrition professionals and students, this is the homepage for the National Data Laboratory, which develops the U.S Department of Agriculture's National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Users can access that database for free through this web page, as well as view articles, reports, and presentations written by USDA professionals, and researching food composition.
- Nutrition Facts and Calorie Counter
Free Online
Use this web page to find the nutrition facts on every food from bananas to frosted flakes. Users can search by food type, such as vegetables, or by brand, or by fast food chain. Each entry provides a nutritional summary, the nutrition facts label, caloric ratio pyramid numbers, nutrient balance indicator, amounts of ingredients per serving, and much more relevant information.
Food and Culture
- Encyclopedia of Food and Culture
Level 1 Reference GT2850 .E53 2003
From prehistoric times to modern times, food has had a great influence on our culture. This three volume encyclopedia, organized alphabetically by subject, provides a detailed examination on how food has created and changed cultures, and also provides extensive definitions of nutrition related terms. From learning the medicinal use of bananas to ritual feasts and fasts, this is a great source for learning about food culture all over the world.
- The Food of the Western World : an Encyclopedia of Food from North America and Europe
Level 1 Reference TX349 .F57
Many of the most common parts of food culture such as the chef's hat and hamburgers came from North American and European customs and tradition. This encyclopedia provides explanations and analysis of hundreds of foods, traditions, and cooking and eating methods from thirty-four countries. Entires are arranged alphabetically according to subject.
- Encyclopedia of North American Eating & Drinking Traditions, Customs & Rituals
Level 1 Reference GT2853.U5 G39 1996
Hog roasts, birthday cake, Christmas cookies, and Oktoberfest -- these are all food centered traditions and practices that influence North American culture. This encyclopedia describes may such food centered rituals, discusses its importance or significance, provides related terminology, and analyzes how it has shaped North American culture and why. This is a great source for fun food facts, as well as relevant information.
- The New Larousse Gastronomique: the Encyclopedia of Food, Wine & Cookery
TX349 .M613 1977
The classic food and wine encyclopedia, full of detailed definitions and beautiful color photos. Included are recipes, cooking methods, terminology definitions, relevant maps and diagrams and much more.
- The Oxford Companion to Food
Level 1 Reference TX349 .D38 1999
This is one of the most thorough and complete guides to food, ingredients, and cooking and culture available. Look up important culinary figures, foods, food groups, and traditional meals. Sprinkled throughout are many articles about relevant information such as bread chemistry and candy making.
Finding Articles
Below are suggested databases and indexes for articles on the topic that you have chosen to research. These databases include articles from newspapers, magazines and scholarly journals. Articles are shorter and more narrowly focused than books or reference materials so you should use them after you have narrowed your topic.
- CINAHL
Simmons Eresource
Provides authoritative coverage of the literature in nursing and allied health. Over 1200 English-language nursing and allied health journals are indexed along with virtually all publications from the American Nurses' Association and the National League for Nursing. Selected journals in biomedicine, consumer health, health sciences librarianship, behavioral sciences, and education are also included. CINAHL also provides references to healthcare books, book chapters, pamphlets, audiovisuals, nursing dissertations, educational software, selected conference proceedings, standards of professional practice, nurse practice acts, critical paths, and research instruments.
Note: while CINAHL is primarily a citation database, Simmons subscribes to a special enhanced version that includes the full text for articles from about 250 publications.
- Medline
Simmons Eresource
Created by the National Library of Medicine, Medline provides access to articles about biomedical, health, and biological. It is the "authoritative medical information on medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the health care system, pre-clinical sciences, and much more." Approximately 5,000 of the world's leading biomedical journals are indexed in Medline.
- Health Reference Center
Simmons Eresource
Use this database to find articles on: fitness, pregnancy, medicine, nutrition, diseases, public health, occupational health & safety, alcohol and drug abuse, HMOs, prescription drugs, etc.
- Academic Search Complete
Simmons Eresource
Academic Search Complete is a great place to start your search for both popular and scholarly articles, no matter what your topic is! It contains journals from almost every topic and is designed specifically for academic institutions. It provides more than 5,300 full-text periodicals, 4,400 of which are peer-reviewed journals. This resource also features content as far back as 1865.
- Academic Onefile
Simmons Eresource
Academic Onefile contains 8,000 academic journals, the majority in full-text, available in HTML and PDF formats. In addition it contains hundreds of podcasts and transcripts from NPR, CNN, and the CBC.
- Expanded Academic ASAP
Simmons Eresource
From arts and the humanities to social sciences, science and technology, this database meets research needs across all academic disciplines. Access scholarly journals, news magazines, and newspapers - many with full text and images. Updated daily.
TIP: Use the Advanced Search for a more precise search!
Searching the Web
Tips for Searching the Internet:
- Use the advanced search function, which is available from most search engines:
- Google - See also "Advanced Search Tips"
- Ask - Click "Advanced." See also "Advanced Search Tips"
- Live (MSN) - See also "Options"
- Exalead - See also "Exalead FAQ"
- Yahoo! Search
- Limit your search to .edu and .gov sites. These often provide quality research, statistics, and commentary. Sites ending in .org often have good information, too, but are likely to espouse a strong stance or bias on the issues they cover and may not be objective.
- Try Scandoo, which presents search results from Google, Yahoo! Search, or Live (MSN) with an evaluation about the objectivity, credibility, and overall reliability of the site.
- Consider using a directory of pre-screened, annotated sites:
Writing Style and Citation
For more information on style and citation for this discipline, please contact the Simmons College Writing Center
You may also consider consulting these resources:
- Writing Resources
Free Online
The Writing Center provides online resources for citing your research. If you are unsure of which citation style to use, consult your professor and consider the following:- Use APA (American Psychological Association) when your topic is in the Social Sciences
- Use ASA (American Sociological Association) when your topic is in Sociology
- Use MLA (Modern Language Association) when your topic is in the Humanities
- Use Chicago/Turabian when your topic is in Literature, History or the Arts
- Use CSE (Council of Science Editors) when your topic is in the Sciences
- RefWorks
Simmons Eresource
RefWorks is a great program for organizing articles, books, and other materials you need for research. You can also use RefWorks to create bibliographies, create in text citations in your paper (Write-N-Cite), and share your research with others. Access RefWorks from the A-Z list of resources on the library's web page, and then follow the instructions to create your own username and password. We hold RefWorks Clinics throughout the semester. For more information, ask a reference librarian
Related Topics
For more resources in this area, visit the following related guides or other Resource Guides located here.
