In our modern society we are accustomed to eat anytime, anywhere, and often too much. We stuff our bodies with food, often unaware of the fact that food profoundly influences our emotional and physical well-being in the short term and in the long term. Scientific studies indicate that what we eat has a profound impact on our current and future health. Many people want to eat a healthier diet but are torn between the numerous conflicting and very confusing messages thrown at us by healthcare professionals, self-professed nutrition consultants, journalists, and even academic scientists. Every day you hear about a new fad diet with an “unprecedented” success rate that promises a long and healthy life or simply causes your fat to melt away. Most people lack a basic understanding of nutritional science to judge whether these messages carry any credibility. Under the mantra “you are what you eat” this course will teach you the basics of human nutrition and provide you with a solid background to understand and appreciate the importance of nutrition for human health.