Understanding Mediterranean and Okinawa Diets

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.

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:

• Nutrition for Health and Sustainability
• Superfoods: Myths and Truths
• Food for Thought: The Relationship Between Food, Gut and Brain
• The Human Microbiome
• Food and Nutrition: The Truth Behind Food Headlines

• What do we eat
• Is your food healthy?
• Why is diet important for your health?
• The Mediterranean (MED) food pyramid and scientific background
• The Okinawa diet: The food pyramid, scientific background and benefits for your health
• Week 1 reflection
• Diet and microbiota: health benefits
• Diet and microbiota: fundaments
• The health benefits of the MED and Okinawa diets
• Components of MED and Okinawa diets: protein sources
• Foods of the MED and Okinawa diets: fish, meat, poultry and dairy
• An easy-to-prepare recipe
• Reflection
• Foods of MED and Okinawa diets: properties and benefits
• Foods of the Okinawa diet: wakame and kombu seaweeds, tofu, shiitake mushrooms.
• Components of MED and Okinawa diets: carbohydrate and fat sources.
• Foods of the MED diet: olive oil.
• Foods of the MED and Okinawa diets: fruit and vegetables
• Foods of the MED and Okinawa diets: cereals and pseudocereals
• Final assessment and 'take home message'