Educational status affects the nature of nutrition. Aim. To study the differences in the nutrition pattern of the adult population of the Russian Federation, depending on the educational qualification. Material and methods . The analysis includes the results of a survey of representative samples of male and female population aged 25-64 years (19,520 people, of which 7,329 men and 12,191 women) from 13 regions of the Russian Federation. The nature of the diet was evaluated by the frequency of consumption of the main groups of products and individual eating habits (supplementation, the use of animal fats in cooking). Results. Men of high literacy have higher consumption of raw vegetables and fruits — by 20%, dairy products — by 14%, including cheese — by 15%. There is also a lower consumption of meat and sausage products — by 17%, pickles — by 12% and poultry — by 11%. Less commonly, there is an adding more salt habit — by 18% and the use of animal fats in cooking — by 10%, more often — the consumption of low-fat and non-fat dairy products — by 22%, as well as raw sugar in an amount not exceeding 5% of the daily calorie content — by 21% The level of consumption of red meat, cereals and pasta, legumes, sweets, cottage cheese, sour cream and cream showed no significant differences with men of a different educational status. Women of high educational status more often include vegetables and fruits in their daily diet — by 14%, dairy products — by 18%, including cheese — by 15%. Less often they consume butter — by 12%, as well as foods with a high salt content: meat and sausage products — by 22% and pickles, marinades — by 15%. Russians with “above average” education are less likely to add more salt — by 14% and use animal fats in cooking — by 14%, more often they choose low-fat and nonfat dairy products — by 21%. In the level of consumption of red meat, cereals and pasta, legumes, sour cream and cream, there were no differences. Conclusion. People with a high literacy in the Russian population regardless of gender differences have a more protective diet compared to people with a low educational status. ESSE-RF study participants and article co-authors: Moscow: Zhernakova Yu. V., Boytsov S. A., St. Petersburg: Rotar O. P., Vladivostok: Kulakova N. V., Nevzorova V. A., Vladikavkaz: Astakhova Z. T., Vologda: Shabunova A. A., Volgograd: Nedogoda S. V., Voronezh: Chernykh T. M., Ivanovo: Belova O. A., Kemerovo: Artamonova G. V., Indukaeva E. V., Krasnoyarsk: Grinshtein Yu. I., Petrova M. M., Orenburg: Libis R. A., Samara: Duplyakov D. V., Tomsk: Trubacheva I. A., Kaveshnikov V. S., Serebryakova V. N., Tyumen: Efanov A. Yu., Medvedeva I. V., Shalaev S. V.