Nutrition and Wellbeing
Learn evidence-based nutrition to improve your diet and wellbeing
This beginner-friendly online course from the University of Aberdeen introduces evidence-based principles of healthy eating, sustainable diets, and the relationship between food and long-term health.
It covers macronutrients and micronutrients, the drivers of food choice, and how diet can influence disease risk, presented through practical lessons and clear scientific explanation.
At a Glance
Nutrition and Wellbeing is an introductory online course from the University of Aberdeen that covers core principles of healthy and sustainable diets, the links between food and disease, and common nutrition controversies.
The course combines evidence-based explanations of nutrients and food-choice drivers with guided practical activities and peer discussion.
| Level | Beginner |
| Rating | 4.6 out of 5 |
| Duration | 4 weeks (10+ hours) |
| Languages | English |
| Certificate | Certificate of achievement available on successful completion |
| Access | Free access while the course runs; extended access and certificate available with paid upgrade |
| Course includes |
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| Price | Free to access with optional paid upgrade for certificate and extended access |
What This Course Teaches
Outcomes are framed as measurable competencies learners can apply to their own diets, evaluate research, and participate in informed discussions.
By the end of the course, learners should be able to perform practical assessments, analyze evidence, and communicate reasoned conclusions about nutrition.
How the Course Is Structured
The course is organised into 22 short sections grouped across four weekly units, with an overall workload of about 10+ hours in total.
Each week contains a small set of focused steps (introductions, topic lessons, and end-of-week summaries) designed for incremental progression.
Curriculum overview
01The makings of a healthy diet▾
02Welcome to the course▾
Orientation to the four-week course and what to expect from the learning journey.
03Diet through the centuries▾
A concise review of how human dietary habits have changed from prehistoric times to the present.
04Components of the healthy diet▾
Explains the types and relative amounts of foods that make up a balanced, healthy diet.
05Nutrients in food▾
Describes macro- and micronutrients, energy sources, and their roles in growth and maintenance.
06End of the week summary▾
A brief recap of week 1 topics and key takeaways for reflection.
07Why do we eat what we eat?▾
Introduces behavioural and environmental frameworks for understanding food choice.
08Welcome to Week 2▾
09Why do we eat what we eat?▾
Examines sugar, addiction-like eating behaviours, and the psychological drivers of consumption.
10Sustainability▾
Considers environmental impacts of dietary patterns and principles for creating sustainable diets.
11How do we make our food choices?▾
Guides interpretation of food labels and practical steps for following dietary guidelines when shopping.
12End of the week summary▾
A short overview of the second week’s discussions and conclusions.
13Food and disease – what is the weakest link?▾
Introduces the relationship between diet and disease, setting up the week’s focus on prevention.
14Welcome to Week 3!▾
15Cardiovascular diseases and diet▾
Explores dietary patterns and nutrients associated with reduced cardiovascular risk and disease management.
16Food and cancer prevention▾
Investigates evidence linking diet to cancer risk, including fibre, fish oils, and plant-based diets.
17End of the week activities▾
Reflection activities and a summary to consolidate week 3 learning.
18Nutrition fads, myths and the plain truth▾
Frames the final week’s examination of controversies and common nutrition misconceptions.
19Welcome to Week 4▾
20Nature vs nurture▾
Examines genetic and environmental influences on weight, dieting, and metabolic responses.
21Nutrition fads, myths and the plain truth▾
Evaluates popular claims (for example vitamin D, probiotic effects, and exercise frequency) against evidence.
22End of the week▾
Final reflections, course summary, and suggested next steps for further learning.
Audience & Requirements
This beginner-friendly course targets adults who want a practical, evidence-based introduction to nutrition and how it affects health and daily food choices.
It is aimed at non-specialists seeking to evaluate nutrition information, make healthier personal food choices, or prepare for further study in nutrition-related topics.
- Adults seeking to improve personal diet and wellbeing through evidence-based guidance.
- Individuals who want to learn to evaluate nutrition claims and research critically.
- Health and fitness enthusiasts looking for practical diet principles to support goals.
- Learners preparing for further short courses or informal study in nutrition.
- No special prerequisites or prior nutrition training required.
- Basic numeracy for simple calculations (e.g., Body Mass Index).
- Willingness to participate in discussion forums and reflective/practical activities.
Final Verdict
This course is a practical, low-risk introduction to evidence-based nutrition suitable for adult learners who want to make informed changes to their diet or evaluate nutrition claims.
Given its strong platform rating and broad learner uptake, combined with a free-to-audit access model and an optional paid certificate, it represents good value for self-directed learners.
Recommend it for non-specialists, health and fitness enthusiasts, and learners preparing for further short courses in nutrition; it is less suited to those seeking advanced clinical or professional dietetic qualification.
