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An Introduction to Nutrition and Healthy Living

Learn to live a healthier life as you discover how to create a balanced meal and the importance of exercise and sleep.

883 enrolled on this course

Couple buying fresh nutritional produce in supermarket as part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle

An Introduction to Nutrition and Healthy Living

883 enrolled on this course

  • 6 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Explore healthy eating and active living

This six-week course will introduce you to the importance of healthy eating and active living to help you improve your overall wellbeing.

From creating a balanced meal and understanding how our digestive system works to exploring nutrition at every stage of life, you’ll learn key nutrition concepts to apply to your everyday life.

You’ll finish the course with the vital tools to make nutrition and healthy activity a part of your lifestyle.

Understand what makes a balanced meal

You’ll learn about the digestive system as you unpack the role of macronutrients, micronutrients, water, and fibre in improving gut health.

Next, you’ll delve into nutritional strategies based on gender, age, target population, and more to understand how to create balanced meals and healthy eating for all different types of people.

Unpack healthy living and the importance of exercise

With an improved knowledge of healthy eating, you’ll investigate the role of exercise in supporting healthy living. You’ll explore the benefits of exercise and how you can do more of it, no matter what your age.

Next, you’ll investigate the importance of sleep and how lack of sleep affects us in different ways.

Delve into meal planning

Finally, you’ll learn the methods to effectively plan your meals to optimise your health. You’ll explore techniques such as mindfulness and food journaling to help further improve your health.

Learning from the experts at the University of California, Riverside, you’ll finish the course with a solid understanding of nutrition to ensure you no longer diet and instead, lead a healthier life.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Understanding a Balanced Meal and Healthy Eating

    • Course Introduction

      We introduce ourselves!

    • Eat Good, Feel Good

      We break down how food can affect your mental health.

    • Calorie Intake

      How do you measure the right amount of food to eat for adults vs kids?

    • Healthy Eating

      We discuss MyPlate and healthy eating.

  • Week 2

    The Role of Nutrients, Water, and Fiber

    • Understanding Nutrients

      We discuss the importance and difference of micro and macro nutrients, carbs and the glycemic index.

    • Protein

      We break down protein, the biological value of protein and discuss fats.

    • Vitamins and Minerals

      We discuss micronutrients, toxicities and the importance of vitamins and minerals.

    • The Importance of Water

      We discuss water, dehydration and the dangerous of sugar.

    • Fiber

      We define what fiber is and discuss the benefits of it and how to ingest more fiber.

    • Nutrition Labels

      We break down and discuss nutrition labels.

  • Week 3

    The Digestive System and Improving Gut Health

    • The Digestive System

      We identify the parts of the digestive system and the process of digestion.

    • Digestive Health

      We discuss why digestive health is so important and it's affects on your mental health.

    • The Process of Digestion

      We break down the process of digestion.

    • Common Digestive Disorders

      We break down common digestion problems.

    • Addressing Chronic Digestive Issues

      We discuss how to deal with certain digestion issues.

  • Week 4

    Nutrition for Infants and Youth

    • Benefits of Physical Activity

      We discuss the benefits of physical activity.

    • Exercising as a Family

      The benefits of exercising as a family.

    • Sleep

      We discuss sleep.

    • Benefits of Sleep

      We go through the many benefits of sleep.

  • Week 5

    Nutrition for Women, Men, and Seniors

    • Adults and Exercise

      We discuss the benefits of exercise.

    • Exercise for Seniors

      Exercise after age 65 still has its benefits.

    • Sleep for Adults

      We discuss how sleep affects adults.

  • Week 6

    Meal Planning and Mindfulness

    • Meal Planning

      We introduce the concept of meal prepping.

    • Advanced Meal Planning

      We dive deeper into meal planning.

    • Food Journaling

      We introduce the concept of food journaling.

    • How Food Affects your Mood

      We discuss the mental impacts that nutrition has.

    • Meditation

      We discuss how meditation and mindfulness can impact your mental and physical health.

    • Course Conclusion

      We review the course goals and the key to nutrition and healthy living.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

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...

  • Investigate the role of macronutrients and micronutrients in healthy eating and living
  • Identify the organs of the digestive system and how they work together
  • Assess nutritional needs based on gender, age, sex, and target population
  • Evaluate how methods like meal planning or food journaling can optimize one's health

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone who wants to learn more about how to improve their diet and overall health.

Who will you learn with?

I am an Academic Director of Professional Programs at the University of California, Riverside Extension. I have a background in education and instructional design and will be facilitating UCR courses.

Who developed the course?

University of California, Riverside

Established in 1954, UCR University Extension is the continuing and professional development division of the University of California, Riverside (UCR), and is an internationally-recognized leader in education for individuals, organizations, and communities–regionally, nationally, and internationally.

  • Established

    1954
  • Location

    UCR University Extension 1299 University Ave. Suite 201 Riverside, CA 92507 Tel: 951.827.4105

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$134/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 10 May 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

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