This study investigates the relationship between sociodemographic and anthropometric variables and nutritional knowledge and nutrition literacy among 1600 adults aged 19–64 years in Ankara, Turkey. The results show that females, individuals with higher education levels, those with a healthy BMI, and those who received nutrition education had higher nutrition literacy and knowledge scores. Nutrition literacy was negatively associated with age and BMI, while it was positively associated with nutrition knowledge. Participants who received nutrition education scored higher in all subgroups of the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (GNKQ) and the Evaluation Instrument of Nutrition Literacy on Adults (EINLA). Age, gender, marital status, education level, employment status, BMI, and nutrition education were significantly associated with nutrition literacy. The study also found a strong positive correlation between nutrition knowledge and nutrition literacy. These findings highlight the importance of nutrition education in improving nutrition literacy and knowledge, which are critical for making informed dietary decisions and promoting healthy eating behaviors. The study underscores the need for targeted nutrition education programs to enhance nutrition literacy, especially among individuals with lower education levels and higher BMI. The results suggest that improving nutrition literacy can contribute to better dietary habits and overall health outcomes. However, the study's limitations include its focus on a specific population in Ankara and the lack of data on diet quality and blood analysis. Overall, the study emphasizes the role of nutrition literacy in public health and the importance of developing effective nutrition education strategies to improve health outcomes.This study investigates the relationship between sociodemographic and anthropometric variables and nutritional knowledge and nutrition literacy among 1600 adults aged 19–64 years in Ankara, Turkey. The results show that females, individuals with higher education levels, those with a healthy BMI, and those who received nutrition education had higher nutrition literacy and knowledge scores. Nutrition literacy was negatively associated with age and BMI, while it was positively associated with nutrition knowledge. Participants who received nutrition education scored higher in all subgroups of the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (GNKQ) and the Evaluation Instrument of Nutrition Literacy on Adults (EINLA). Age, gender, marital status, education level, employment status, BMI, and nutrition education were significantly associated with nutrition literacy. The study also found a strong positive correlation between nutrition knowledge and nutrition literacy. These findings highlight the importance of nutrition education in improving nutrition literacy and knowledge, which are critical for making informed dietary decisions and promoting healthy eating behaviors. The study underscores the need for targeted nutrition education programs to enhance nutrition literacy, especially among individuals with lower education levels and higher BMI. The results suggest that improving nutrition literacy can contribute to better dietary habits and overall health outcomes. However, the study's limitations include its focus on a specific population in Ankara and the lack of data on diet quality and blood analysis. Overall, the study emphasizes the role of nutrition literacy in public health and the importance of developing effective nutrition education strategies to improve health outcomes.