In general terms, diet refers to the types of food that a person, community, or region typically eats. For example, the Nordic diet typically emphasizes locally-available ingredients such as whole grains, root vegetables, berries, fresh fish and seaweed, with red meat only on rare occasions. A vegetarian diet avoids any kind of meat, while a vegan diet also avoids dairy products, and these plant based diets may be followed for ethical or environmental reasons. Learning about the typical diet and gastronomy of a region or groups of people can be an important - and delicious - way to learn about their culture.

Diet can also refer to a particular plan for food and eating that an individual adheres to in order to achieve health goals such as weight loss, athletic performance, or the management of conditions such as high cholesterol or blood pressure. Many public health problems stem from poor diet and nutrition, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. As a result, helping people understand how diet can be an important part of personal and public health practices is playing an increasingly prominent role in healthcare.

Understanding the distinctive features of the diets of different regions and countries, as well as their cultural and historical contexts, can be a passport to an exciting career as a restaurant critic or food journalist. This is a dream job for many people, with opportunities to visit new places, learn the fascinating stories behind different cuisines, meet the chefs who have mastered cooking them, and, most importantly, eat amazing food from all over the world.

Because diet is an important aspect of personal wellness and public health practices, there is also a growing demand for experts in this field. Dieticians and nutritionists provide guidance to people on what to eat in order to meet health goals such as weight loss or muscle gain, or to help patients suffering from chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes manage their condition. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dieticians and nutritionists earned a median annual salary of $61,270 in 2019, and these jobs are expected to grow much faster than the rate of the overall economy over the next decade.

Yes! Coursera offers learning opportunities covering many different aspects of diet, including its relationship to health and nutrition, the cuisines of different cultures, and even the science of gastronomy. Befitting such a regional and global topic, you can take courses from top-ranked schools from across the United States and around the world, including Stanford University, Yale University, Case Western Reserve University, University of Copenhagen, Emory University, and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. And, because Coursera lets you view course materials and complete assignments on a flexible schedule, you can learn remotely without having to change your dinner plans - or your existing work or family life.