{{Short description|Sum of food consumed by an organism}} {{for multi|weight loss diets|Dieting|animal diets|List of feeding behaviours|other uses|Diet (disambiguation)}} {{Use American English|date=March 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}} {{cs1 config|name-list-style=vanc|display-authors=3}} [[File:FoodSourcesOfMagnesium.jpg|thumb|right|A selection of magnesium-containing food consumed by humans. The human diet can vary widely.]]
In nutrition, '''diet''' is the sum of food consumed by a person or other organism.<ref>{{cite web|author=askoxford.com|date=2010|url=http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/diet_1?view=uk|title=noun 1|publisher=Oxford University Press}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107182752/http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/diet_1?view=uk }}</ref> The word diet often implies the use of specific intake of nutrition for health or weight-management reasons (with the two often being related). Although humans are omnivores, each culture and each person holds some food preferences or some food taboos. This may be due to personal tastes or ethical reasons. Individual dietary choices may be more or less healthy.
Complete nutrition requires ingestion and absorption of vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids from protein and essential fatty acids from fat-containing food, also food energy in the form of carbohydrate, protein, and fat. Dietary habits and choices play a significant role in the quality of life, health and longevity.
== Health == {{Main|Healthy diet}} A healthy diet can improve and maintain mental and physical health.<ref name="Washington2022">{{Cite journal |last1=Johnson |first1=Veronica R. |last2=Washington |first2=Tiffani Bell |last3=Chhabria |first3=Shradha |last4=Wang |first4=Emily Hsu-Chi |last5=Czepiel |first5=Kathryn |last6=Reyes |first6=Karen J. Campoverde |last7=Stanford |first7=Fatima Cody |date=2022-05-01 |title=Food as Medicine for Obesity Treatment and Management |journal=Clinical Therapeutics |language=English |volume=44 |issue=5 |pages=671–681 |doi=10.1016/j.clinthera.2022.05.001 |pmid=35618570 |pmc=9908371 |s2cid=249022627 |issn=0149-2918 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Specific diets, such as the DASH diet, can be used in treatment and management of chronic conditions.<ref name="Washington2022" />
Dietary recommendations exist for many countries, and they usually emphasise a balanced diet which is culturally appropriate.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nemec |first=Kelly |date=November 2020 |title=Cultural Awareness of Eating Patterns in the Health Care Setting |journal=Clinical Liver Disease |language=en-US |volume=16 |issue=5 |pages=204–207 |doi=10.1002/cld.1019 |issn=2046-2484 |pmc=7727853 |pmid=33318789}}</ref> These recommendations are different from dietary reference values which provide information about the prevention of nutrient deficiencies.
== Dietary choices == alt=Raw food tacos prepared with guacamole, non-fried beans and sour cream.|thumb|Raw food tacos prepared with guacamole, non-fried beans and sour cream. Raw foodism promotes the consumption of food which has not been cooked. Exclusionary diets are diets with certain groups or specific types of food avoided, either due to health considerations or by choice.<ref name="Washington2022" /> Many do not eat food from animal sources to varying degrees (e.g. flexitarianism, pescetarianism, vegetarianism, and veganism) for health reasons, issues surrounding morality, or to reduce their personal impact on the environment<ref>{{Cite web |last=United Nations|title=Food and Climate Change: Healthy diets for a healthier planet |url=https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/food |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=United Nations |language=en}} {{web archive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251213201717/https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/food|date=13 December 2025}}</ref> (e.g. environmental vegetarianism). People on a balanced vegetarian or vegan diet can obtain adequate nutrition, but may need to specifically focus on consuming specific nutrients, such as protein, iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B<sub>12</sub>.<ref name="melina">{{Cite journal|last1=Melina|first1=Vesanto|last2=Craig|first2=Winston|last3=Levin|first3=Susan|date=December 2016|title=Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Vegetarian Diets|journal=Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics|volume=116|issue=12|pages=1970–1980|doi=10.1016/j.jand.2016.09.025|issn=2212-2672|pmid=27886704|s2cid=4984228 }}</ref><ref name="Washington2022" /><ref name="VegetarianMC">{{Cite web|title=Vegetarian diet: How to get the best nutrition|date=2020-08-20|url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/vegetarian-diet/art-20046446|access-date=2022-12-12|website=Mayo Clinic|language=en|archive-date=2021-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410041319/https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/vegetarian-diet/art-20046446|url-status=live}}</ref> Raw foodism and intuitive eating are other approaches to dietary choices. Education, income, local availability, and mental health are all major factors for dietary choices.<ref name="Washington2022" />
==Weight management== thumb|Average dietary energy supply by region A particular diet may be chosen to promote weight loss or weight gain. Changing a person's dietary intake, or "going on a diet", can change the energy balance, and increase or decrease the amount of fat stored by the body.<ref name="Washington2022" />
The terms "healthy diet" and "diet for weight management" (''dieting'') are often related, as the two promote healthy weight management.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Aphramor|first=Lucy|date=2010-07-20|title=Validity of claims made in weight management research: a narrative review of dietetic articles|journal=Nutrition Journal|language=en|volume=9|issue=1|pages=30|doi=10.1186/1475-2891-9-30|issn=1475-2891|pmc=2916886|pmid=20646282 |doi-access=free }}</ref> If a person is overweight or obese, changing to a diet and lifestyle that allows them to burn more calories than they consume may improve their overall health,<ref name="Washington2022" /> possibly preventing diseases that are attributed in part to weight, including heart disease and diabetes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Diets|url=https://medlineplus.gov/diets.html|access-date=2021-05-28|website=medlineplus.gov|archive-date=2021-06-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613074449/https://medlineplus.gov/diets.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Within the past 10 years, obesity rates have increased by almost 10%.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Long |first1=Zichong |last2=Huang |first2=Lili |last3=Lyu |first3=Jiajun |last4=Xia |first4=Yuanqing |last5=Chen |first5=Yiting |last6=Li |first6=Rong |last7=Wang |first7=Yanlin |last8=Li |first8=Shenghui |date=2022-01-12 |title=Trends of central obesity and associations with nutrients intake and daily behaviors among women of childbearing age in China |journal=BMC Women's Health |volume=22 |issue=1 |pages=12 |doi=10.1186/s12905-022-01600-9 |issn=1472-6874 |pmc=8753840 |pmid=35016648 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Conversely, if a person is underweight due to illness or malnutrition, they may change their diet to promote weight gain. Intentional changes in weight, though often beneficial, can be potentially harmful to the body if they occur too rapidly. Unintentional rapid weight change can be caused by the body's reaction to some medications, or may be a sign of major medical problems including thyroid issues and cancer among other diseases.<ref>{{cite web | title = Body Weight | publisher = MedlinePlus | url = https://medlineplus.gov/bodyweight.html | access-date = June 26, 2020 | archive-date = June 2, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200602110835/https://medlineplus.gov/bodyweight.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
==Meat consumption==
Meat commonly refers to red meat from pork, beef, and lamb and to white meat from chicken and turkey.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Meinilä |first=Jelena |last2=Virtanen |first2=Jyrki K. |date=2024 |title=Meat and meat products - a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38449706 |journal=Food & Nutrition Research |volume=68 |doi=10.29219/fnr.v68.10538 |issn=1654-661X |pmc=10916397 |pmid=38449706}}Text was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.</ref> In Western countries, red meat is a significant source of energy and several nutrients such as protein, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.<ref name=":5" /> Meat can be processed by adding chemical preservatives, smoking, curing, salting, fermenting or canning.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), processed meat causes cancer, particularly colorectal cancer, and all red meat is a "probable" cause of cancer.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=26 October 2015 |title=Cancer: Carcinogenicity of the consumption of red meat and processed meat |url=https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/cancer-carcinogenicity-of-the-consumption-of-red-meat-and-processed-meat |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=World Health Organization |language=en}}</ref> Strong evidence also links processed meat with higher risks of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last=Libera |first=Justyna |last2=Iłowiecka |first2=Katarzyna |last3=Stasiak |first3=Dariusz |date=December 2021 |title=Consumption of processed red meat and its impact on human health: A review |url=https://academic.oup.com/ijfst/article/56/12/6115/7806301 |journal=International Journal of Food Science & Technology |language=en |volume=56 |issue=12 |pages=6115–6123 |doi=10.1111/ijfs.15270 |issn=0950-5423|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The World Cancer Research Fund recommends limiting red meat to no more than three servings per week and minimizing consumption of processed meats.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Limit consumption of red and processed meat: Recommendation evidence |url=https://www.wcrf.org/research-policy/evidence-for-our-recommendations/limit-red-processed-meat/ |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=World Cancer Research Fund |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Environmental dietary choices == {{See also|Sustainable diet|Low-carbon diet|Plant-based diet}}Agriculture is a driver of environmental degradation, such as biodiversity loss, climate change, desertification, soil degradation and pollution. The food system as a whole – including refrigeration, food processing, packaging, and transport – accounts for around one-quarter of greenhouse gas emissions.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ritchie |first1=Hannah |author1-link=Hannah Ritchie |last2=Roser |first2=Max |author2-link=Max Roser |last3=Rosado |first3=Pablo |date=2020-05-11 |title=CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Emissions |url=https://ourworldindata.org/emissions-by-sector |journal=Our World in Data}}</ref> More sustainable dietary choices can be made to reduce the impact of the food system on the environment. These choices may involve reducing consumption of meat and dairy products and instead eating more plant-based foods, and eating foods grown through sustainable farming practices.<ref>{{Cite web |author=United Nations |title=Food and Climate Change: Healthy diets for a healthier planet |url=https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/food |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=United Nations |language=en}}</ref>
== Religious and cultural dietary choices == Some cultures and religions have restrictions concerning what foods are acceptable in their diet. For example, only Kosher foods are permitted in Judaism, and Halal foods in Islam. Although Buddhists are generally vegetarians, the practice varies and meat-eating may be permitted depending on the sects.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=985a1M7L1NcC&pg=PA77 |title=A Dictionary of Buddhism |first=Damien |last=Keown |page=77 |publisher=Oxford University Press |date=26 August 2004 |isbn=9780191579172 |access-date=26 January 2017 |archive-date=14 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114192647/https://books.google.com/books?id=985a1M7L1NcC&pg=PA77 |url-status=live }}</ref> In Hinduism, vegetarianism is the ideal. Jains are strictly vegetarian and in addition to that the consumption of any roots (e.g., potatoes, carrots) is not permitted.
In Christianity there is no restriction on the kinds of animals that can be eaten,<ref>[http://bibliaparalela.com/mark/7-14.htm Marcos 7:14] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104131626/https://bibliaparalela.com/mark/7-14.htm |date=2021-11-04 }}-[http://bibliaparalela.com/mark/7-23.htm 23] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104204250/https://bibliaparalela.com/mark/7-23.htm |date=2021-11-04 }}</ref><ref>[http://bibliaparalela.com/matthew/15-10.htm Mateo 15:10] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105101100/https://bibliaparalela.com/matthew/15-10.htm |date=2021-11-05 }}-[http://bibliaparalela.com/matthew/15-20.htm 20] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104141325/https://bibliaparalela.com/matthew/15-20.htm |date=2021-11-04 }}</ref> though various groups within Christianity have practiced specific dietary restrictions for various reasons.<ref name="Vatican">{{cite web|title=Code of Canon Law|publisher=vatican.va|access-date=July 28, 2013|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P4O.HTM#37|archive-date=November 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129223503/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P4O.HTM#37|url-status=live}}</ref> The most common diets consumed by Christians are the Mediterranean diet and vegetarianism.Mediterranean and vegetarian dietary patterns are often linked with balanced nutrition and better health outcomes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Healthy diet |website=World Health Organization |url=https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/healthy-diet |access-date=2026-05-11}}</ref>
== Diet classification table == {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! Food type ! Omnivorous ! Carnivorous ! Pescetarian ! Pollotarian ! Semi-vegetarian ! Vegetarian ! Vegan ! Fruitarian ! Paleo ! Ketogenic ! Jewish ! Islamic ! Hindu ! Jain |- | Alcoholic drinks | {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||{{no}}|| {{no}} || {{maybe}} || {{maybe}} || {{no}} || {{maybe}} || {{no}} |- | Fruit | {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{maybe}} |- | Berries | {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}|| {{yes}} || {{maybe}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} |- | Vegetables | {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}{{efn|name=fn1|Some plants traditionally considered to be vegetables—such as tomatoes, eggplants, capsicums, and zucchinis—are permitted.}}|| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} |- | Greens | {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}|| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{maybe}} |- | Legumes | {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{maybe}}|| {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} |- | Nuts | {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{maybe}}|| {{yes}} || {{maybe}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{maybe}} |- | Tubers | {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}|| {{maybe}}{{efn|name=fn2|Typically, potatoes are not permitted but cassava, yams, and sweet potatoes are.}}|| {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{maybe}} |- | Grains | {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{maybe}}|| {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} |- | Honey | {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} |- | Dairy | {{yes}} || {{maybe}}{{efn|name=fn9|Some variants of the diet are paleolithic-oriented and exclude dairy while other variants may include dairy products provided that they are ketogenic. Less strict approaches allow all animal sourced foods.}} || {{maybe}} || {{maybe}} || {{maybe}} || {{maybe}}{{efn|name=fn7|Lacto vegetarians, ovo-lacto vegetarians, and Jain vegetarians permit dairy.}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{no}} || {{maybe}} || {{yes}}{{efn|name=fn8|Dairy is permitted but is not to be cooked or consumed with any meats. Dairy may be prepared and eaten alongside pareve foods.}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} |- | Eggs | {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{maybe}} || {{yes}} || {{maybe}} || {{maybe}}{{efn|name=fn6|Both ovo vegetarians and ovo-lacto vegetarians permit eggs.}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{maybe}} || {{no}} |- | Insects | {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{sometimes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}{{efn|name=fn4|Locusts are sometimes permitted, depending on the religious denomination.}} || {{no}}{{efn|name=fn4}} || {{maybe}} || {{no}} |- | Shellfish | {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{sometimes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{maybe}}{{efn|name=fn3|Mollusks and crustaceans like crab are prohibited according to the Shi'a branch of Islam. The acceptability of shrimp/prawn is debated}}|| {{maybe}} || {{no}} |- | Fish | {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{sometimes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{maybe}} || {{no}} |- | Poultry | {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{sometimes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{maybe}} || {{no}} |- | Mutton | {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{sometimes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{maybe}} || {{no}} |- | Venison | {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{sometimes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{maybe}} || {{no}} |- | Pork | {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{sometimes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{maybe}} || {{no}} |- | Beef | {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{sometimes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} |}
== See also == * Dessert crop * Nutrition psychology
== Notes == {{Notelist|30em}}
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == {{Wikiquote|Diet}} *{{wiktionary-inline|diet#English|diet}}
{{Diets|state=collapsed}} {{Portal bar|Food|Drink}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Diet (Nutrition)}} *