We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Putting the Personal in Personalized Nutrition

Sharon M. Donovan

4.7

Based on 20 ratings

, see reviews

Sharon M. Donovan

A “one size fits all” approach to nutrition may not work for everyone. We each have unique variations in our genome, epigenome and microbiome, which interact with our external environment to affect how our bodies respond to dietary intake. Learners will exam the basic principles of nutrition, explore the foundational aspects of personalized nutrition, and analyze the research about the roles of genetics and microbiomes in our personalized nutrition journey.

This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs. To learn more about online programs from the College of ACES and explore ways to apply your Coursera work toward a degree program at the University of Illinois, visit ACES Online @ aces.illinois.edu/online.

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to Coursera

Two deals to help you save

Save money when you learn. Here are two deals and offers that may be relevant to this course.

All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.

Valid until December 2

Annual Subscription

Invest in your career growth and save. Start your annual subscription to Coursera Plus and access 10,000+ programs.

Valid until March 12, 2027

Save 40% Off 3 Months

Access thousands of top-rated learning programs with a Coursera Plus monthly subscription and take 40% off 3 months for a limited time.

What's inside

Syllabus

Orientation & Module 1 | Basic Principles of Nutrition

You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course. In the second part of this module, you will explore the basics of nutrition and describe nutrient components. You will differentiate between macro and micronutrients and understand the concept of essential nutrients. Lastly, this module will explore dietary variety and recognize the importance of consuming a diverse range of foods to meet nutrient needs as well as navigating the dietary guidelines.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Individuals interested in making informed nutritional choices that align with their unique genetic and microbiomic profile will find this course valuable

Learners exploring the field of personalized nutrition will gain a comprehensive understanding of its principles and applications

Healthcare professionals seeking to incorporate personalized nutrition into their practice may find this course beneficial

Those with no prior background in nutrition may need to supplement their knowledge before taking this course

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

Save

Reviews summary

Personalized nutrition: genes, gut, and diet

According to learners, this course offers a solid foundational understanding of personalized nutrition, making complex scientific topics accessible. Students consistently praise its well-structured modules and engaging instruction that delve deeply into the fascinating roles of genetics and the microbiome in dietary responses. While many found the insights highly practical for personal health decisions, some noted the pace or depth could be challenging without prior science knowledge, suggesting it might be better suited for those with a scientific curiosity or background. Overall, it's highly recommended for understanding the science behind tailored dietary approaches.

Pacing and depth might vary based on your science background.

"As someone relatively new to biology, I found some sections quite challenging and fast-paced, requiring extra effort."

"I had a background in health sciences, so parts felt like a comprehensive review, but still very valuable."

"For those with less science exposure, be prepared to do some extra reading to fully grasp everything."

Lectures are clear, well-paced, and hold attention.

"The instructors were incredibly engaging and clearly passionate about the subject matter, which made learning enjoyable."

"Their explanations were very clear, making even potentially dry topics interesting and memorable."

"I really enjoyed the lecture style; it kept me motivated to learn throughout the entire course."

Offers insights applicable to personal dietary choices.

"I learned practical strategies to consider for my own nutrition journey, which felt very empowering."

"The course gave me a new perspective on how to think about my diet and unique body's needs."

"It empowered me to make more informed decisions about my health and food choices for my family."

Makes intricate scientific concepts easy to grasp.

"Even without a strong biology background, I could follow the complex concepts presented and connect them to real life."

"The instructors broke down difficult topics into manageable, understandable parts, which was incredibly helpful."

"I appreciate how they translated advanced nutritional science into plain language without oversimplifying."

Provides a strong base in genetics and microbiomes for nutrition.

"I found the course provided an excellent foundation in the underlying scientific principles of personalized nutrition."

"The modules on genetics and the microbiome were particularly insightful and well-explained, truly eye-opening."

"It truly helped me understand how DNA and gut bacteria influence our dietary responses in a scientific way."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Putting the Personal in Personalized Nutrition with these activities:

Connect with a Registered Dietitian

Show steps

Expand your professional network and gain valuable insights by connecting with a nutrition expert.

Show steps

Attend industry events or webinars.
Reach out to registered dietitians through social media or professional networking platforms like LinkedIn.

Organize Your Course Materials

Show steps

By organizing your course materials, you will have the resources you need for this course in one place and ready to use

Show steps

Gather all course materials including lecture notes, readings, and assignments
Create a system for organizing your materials either digitally or physically
Review your materials regularly and update your organization system as needed

Find a Nutrition Mentor

Show steps

Having a mentor in the field of nutrition can provide invaluable guidance and support as you navigate your learning journey

Show steps

Identify potential mentors at your institution or in professional organizations
Contact potential mentors and introduce yourself
Establish regular communication and schedule meetings

Seven other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all ten activities

Nutrient Identification Practice

Show steps

Enhance your ability to recognize different types of nutrients and their functions in the body.

Browse courses on Macronutrients

Show steps

Review the handout on essential nutrients.
Complete a worksheet that includes a list of foods and their nutrient content.

Analyze My Plate Example

Show steps

Reinforce macro and micronutrient levels in a My Plate-aligned meal by creating a sample menu.

Show steps

Choose two meals and one snack from your favorite cuisine.
Identify the food groups represented in each meal and snack.
Determine if the sample meal includes a variety of food groups and meets the recommended My Plate proportions.
Describe how the meal can be adjusted to better align with My Plate recommendations.

DNA Sequencing Basics

Show steps

Gain foundational knowledge in DNA sequencing techniques and their applications in understanding genetic variation.

Browse courses on DNA Sequencing

Show steps

Watch an introductory video on DNA sequencing.
Read an article summarizing the basics of DNA sequencing.
Explore an interactive tutorial on DNA sequencing using a simulator.

Gene Expression Analysis Discussion

Show steps

Deepen understanding of gene expression analysis and its role in personalized nutrition by engaging in group discussions.

Browse courses on Gene Expression

Show steps

Prepare talking points based on the assigned reading.
Participate in a discussion session with peers
Summarize key insights and takeaways from the discussion.

Volunteer at a Local Nutrition Organization

Show steps

Volunteering can help you make a positive impact in your community while gaining practical experience in nutrition

Show steps

Identify local nutrition organizations that offer volunteer opportunities
Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer positions
Participate in volunteer activities and share your nutrition knowledge

Personalized Nutrition in Practice

Show steps

Gain practical knowledge of how personalized nutrition is being applied in clinical settings by attending an industry workshop.

Show steps

Identify upcoming workshops related to personalized nutrition.
Register and attend the workshop.
Network with professionals in the field.
Apply learnings to your own understanding of personalized nutrition.

Start a Nutrition Blog

Show steps

Starting a blog will give you an outlet to share your nutrition knowledge, connect with a wider audience, and put your understanding of nutrition into practice

Show steps

Choose a blogging platform and set up your blog
Develop a content calendar and start writing blog posts
Promote your blog and engage with your audience

Career center

Learners who complete Putting the Personal in Personalized Nutrition will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Putting the Personal in Personalized Nutrition.

Missing Microbes

Save

Provides an excellent overview of the microbiome, its role in health and disease, and the potential for microbiome-based therapies. It is written by a leading expert in the field.

Putting the Personal in Personalized Nutrition

Two deals to help you save

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Personalized nutrition: genes, gut, and diet

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses

Coursera Buyer Protection & Guarantee

7-Day Free Trial & Free Audit

14-Day Refund Guarantee

Verified Academic & Industry Partner