Learn the principles, science and health benefits of the Mediterranean and the Okinawa diets.
![An table seen from above with healthy foods](https://ugc.futurelearn.com/uploads/images/c8/2e/header_c82eda44-7f60-472d-aa9c-45e049506d4f.jpg)
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
2 hours
Understanding Mediterranean and Okinawa Diets
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
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Learn to make healthier diet choices by examining two different diets
Please note this course runs without facilitation
Your diet can make a big difference to your health. That’s why it’s so important to consider the value of different diets from around the globe.
On this course you will explore the science and benefits of two well-known diets: the Mediterranean and Okinawa diets. You will learn the main components of these diets and how to prepare simple recipes. You will also consider what makes these diets healthy, and how they affect the body.
What topics will you cover?
- Scientific backgrounds of the Mediterranean and the Okinawa diets
- A deeper insight into each type of diet with regards to their healthy aspects
- Healthy source of proteins
- The secrets of carbohydrates and oils
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Summarise the characteristics and benefits of the Mediterranean and Okinawa diets
- Describe how diet influences human microbiota and how this has an impact on human health
- Evaluate the importance of healthy food frequency consumption
- Explore the many kinds of healthy diets; their different food composition and cultural approaches.
- Identify health-related properties of foods central to the two diets
- Design at least one simple healthy recipe of one of the course diets
Who is the course for?
This course is for anyone interested in maintaining a healthy diet, you don’t need any previous experience. If you’re looking to expand your knowledge on this topic, you might also find of interest the following EIT Food courses on nutrition and health:
What do people say about this course?
I really enjoyed learning things I thought I knew
"My eyes are more open now. It was very good"
Who will you learn with?
MD with expertise in the care of the patients with metabolic diseases. My research area is relative to the role of food/nutrients on dysmetabolic diseases and the organization of lifestyle trials.
I’m a professor in food microbiology at the University of Torino, Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences. My research focuses on food safety and microbial ecology of fermented foods.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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