From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishdietdi‧et1 /ˈdaɪət/ ●●● S3 W2 noun 1 TO GET THINFOR HEALTH[countable]DFN a way of eating in which you only eat certain foods, in order to lose weight, or to improve your health Lyn always seems to be on a diet. a salt-free diet Not all diets are good for you.2 KIND OF FOOD[countable, uncountable]DFN the kind of food that a person or animal eats each day She doesn’t eat a very healthy diet. It is important to have a balanced diet. the effects of poor diet and lack of exercise Rice is the staple diet (=the main food that a group of people usually eat). Studies have shown the benefits of a vegetarian diet.diet of They exist on a diet of fish.in somebody’s diet the importance of vitamins and minerals in your diet3 → a diet of something4 MEETING[countable]MEET old-fashioned an official meeting to discuss political or church mattersCOLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: a way of eating in which you only eat certain foods, in order to lose weight, or to improve your healthverbsbe on a diet (=to only eat certain foods in order to lose weight)No cake, thanks – I’m on a diet.go on a diet (=start eating less or only some types of food)I really ought to go on a diet.follow a diet (=only eat certain types of food)You will feel better if you follow a low-fat diet.stick to a diet (=continue to follow a diet)Most people find it hard to stick to a diet.adjectivesa strict diet (=in which you eat a very limited amount or range of food)She followed a strict diet for several weeks.a crash diet (=a very sudden and strict attempt to lose weight)It’s better to lose weight gradually than to go on a crash diet.a low-calorie/low-fat etc dietA low-calorie diet should solve your weight problem.a starvation diet (=in which you eat very little)A starvation diet can have negative health effects.COMMON ERRORS ► Don’t say ‘she’s doing a diet’. Say she’s on a diet.Don’t say ‘keep a diet’. Say stick to a diet. COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: the kind of food that a person or animal eats each dayadjectiveshealthy/good A healthy diet includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.poor/unhealthyA poor diet affects your skin and hair condition.a balanced diet (=including all the types of food that people need)A balanced diet is important for a child’s development.a varied diet (=including many different foods)Provide your fish with a varied diet of worms, insects, and dried food.a sensible/proper dietStudents don’t always eat a sensible diet.somebody’s staple diet (=the food that a group of people or type of animal normally eats)For hundreds of years potatoes were their staple diet.a vegetarian diet (=that does not include any meat or fish)a high-fibre/high-protein etc dietA high-fibre diet is good for your health.verbseat/have a dietPeople in Mediterranean areas generally have a very good diet.live/exist on a diet of somethingThe people lived mainly on a diet of fish.feed somebody on a diet of somethingKids should not be fed a diet of hamburgers and sugary snacks.phrasesa diet high/rich in something (=which contains a lot of something)In the West many people eat a diet high in fat and salt.
Examples from the Corpus
diet• The doctor told Tom to quit smoking and go on a diet.• Should I go on a diet?• For 27 years in the jungles of Guam, Yokoi survived on a diet of shrimp, coconuts, snails, frogs and rats.• There is a natural wastage of at least five percent on any diet.• Doctors and other experts also recognise how important a balanced diet is for a child's normal development.• The secret to a longer life is a balanced diet and regular exercise.• Bob's idea of a balanced diet left something to be desired.• a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables• Since his heart attack, Brice has been on a salt-free diet.• The Italians have a good healthy diet and lifestyle.• The doctor told him to reduce the amount of fat in his diet.• Was Handy Man beginning to include meat in his diet?• So many diets appear to have no connection with calories.• This new diet involves eating very small amounts throughout the day.• 150,000 Californians die each year from diseases related to a poor diet.• People in the coastal region live on a staple diet of rice and fish.• I've tried all the diets and they never work.• LaLanne had added a new dimension to the diet gurus' puritanical quest for spiritual salvation through the body: exercise.• Finally, she gave up diets entirely.• a vegetarian dietdiet of• Prisoners were given a diet of hard bread and vegetables.dietdiet2 ●●○ verb [intransitive] DFNto limit the amount and type of food that you eat, in order to become thinner SYN slim→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
diet• Naturally I have never felt the need to diet.• She dieted and went on exercise programs but nothing seemed to work.• Janet dieted for months before her wedding.• Perhaps you might even feel like not dieting for one or two days.• I've been dieting for two months and I've lost 6 kilos.dietdiet3 adjective [only before noun] diet drinks or foods contain less sugar or fat than ordinary ones a diet sodaOrigin diet1 (1200-1300) Old French diete, from Greek diaita “way of living, food to be eaten” 