Glossary of Weight Loss & Diet Terms
Antioxidants
Substances, like beta carotene and vitamins C and E, protect the cells in the body from an unstable form of oxygen called a free radical. The antioxidant combines with the free radical to prevent it from attaching to and damaging the cells in the body.
Anorexia Nervosa
A psycho-physiological disorder characterized by an abnormal fear of becoming obese and therefore a distorted self-image. This results in an unwillingness to eat leading to severe weight loss. It can also be accompanied by vomiting, excessive exercise and other physiological changes.
Blood Sugar
Glucose in the blood
Body Fat
The percentage of your body mass that is not composed of lean muscle, water, bones or vital organs
Body Mass Index (BMI)
The ratio of body fat to muscle mass as measured from body density. An indicator of underweight or overweight conditions.
Calorie
Unit of energy, often used for the term kilocalorie. Common usage indicating the release of energy from food. Unit of energy. The amount of heat necessary to raise one gram of water one degree centigrade. The energy released from food is too enormous to be described by these units, so nutritionists use the kilocalorie equivalent of 1,000 of these small calories.
Carbohydrates
A group of organic compounds, including sugars, starches and fiber, that is a major source of energy for animals.
Cardiovascular
Of or relating to the heart and blood vessels.
Cholesterol
A waxy lipid (fat). Although cholesterol is important for our health, excess cholesterol is deposited on the surfaces of blood vessels making them stiff and causing blockage
Complete Protein
A protein containing all the essential amino acids.
Complex Carbohydrates
A class of carbohydrates called polysaccharides; foods composed of starch and cellulose.
Diabetes Type I
Insulin Dependent: the individual's body does not produce insulin at all.
Diabetes Type II
Non-Insulin Dependent: the individual's body does produce insulin but fat cells resist the insulin. Majority of cases are due to obesity.
Diet
The foods that a person eats most frequently; (b) food considered in terms of its qualities and effects on health; (c) a particular selection of food, usually prescribed to cure a disease or to gain or lose weight.
Elimination Diet
A diet with certain ingredients removed, assuming a person is reactive to such ingredients. The disappearance of symptoms assumes that the person is reactive to the missing ingredients.
Emotional Eating
Eating when you are feeling stressed and, usually, not being aware as you eat.
Ephedra
Any of various gymnospermous, mostly shrubby plants of the genus Ephedra, some of which are used as a source of ephedrine. A stimulant, often sold as pills or tablets, derived from a plant of this genus.
Food Pyramid
Chart providing a visual idea for a healthy diet. Foods on the bottom (low calorie-high volume) are emphasized and food on the top (high calorie-low volume) should be eaten sparingly.
Glycemic Index
The glycemic index (GI) is a ranking of carbohydrates on a scale from 0 to 100 according to the rate at which they raise blood sugar levels after eating.
Ketogenic Diet
Name for high protein, low carb diets. See Ketosis.
Ketosis
Process by which excess, stored body fat can be burned (as well as protein), resulting in weight loss. Once withdrawn from carbohydrates the body will switch over to burning fat for fuel. When the intake of fat and protein is not sufficient, it will break open the fat stored in your fat cells for fuel.
RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance)
The amounts of energy and selected nutrients considered adequate to meet the nutrient needs of a great majority of healthy people.
Saturated Fat
Fatty acids that have all the hydrogen they can hold on their chemical chains. They mainly come from animal foods.