diet

The food and drink that a person or animal usually has.

• Fruit is part of my daily diet.
• These animals have a diet of grass and leaves.
• Does your diet include enough vegetables?

How to use it: a diet of something (The bird lives on a diet of insects.)

Common phrases: balanced diet, healthy diet, diet of something, varied diet

A planned way of eating to lose weight, gain weight, or improve health.

• He is on a diet.
• My doctor recommended a diet with less salt.
• Have you tried any special diets?

How to use it: be on a diet (I am on a diet to lower my cholesterol.); go on a diet (She went on a diet after speaking to her doctor.)

Similar words: eating plan

Common phrases: on a diet, strict diet, follow a diet, low calorie diet

Something you regularly see, hear, or experience, often so much that it has a bad effect.

• She gets a daily diet of criticism.
• The channel offers a steady diet of bad news.
• He grew tired of their constant diet of complaints.

How to use it: a diet of something (They grew up on a diet of violent films.)

Common phrases: steady diet of, diet of violence, diet of criticism, diet of books

An official meeting or body of political leaders that discusses public matters and makes decisions.

• The Diet discussed the new bill.
• Members of the Diet voted against the proposal.
• The emperor called a meeting of the imperial diet.

Similar words: assembly, parliament

Common phrases: japanese diet, imperial diet, diet session

Containing less sugar, fat, salt, or energy than the usual version.

• I ordered a diet cola.
• Do you sell diet drinks?
• She prefers diet yogurt with less sugar.

Similar words: low-calorie, reduced-calorie

Common phrases: diet soda, diet drink, diet food

To change or limit what you eat, usually to lose weight.

• He is dieting again.
• I dieted for three months.
• Can you diet without feeling hungry?

How to use it: diet to do something (She is dieting to lose weight.)

Common phrases: diet regularly, diet to lose