Nutrition and Diets Vocabulary List

A comprehensive list of vocabulary terms related to nutrition and diets with their definitions.

Absorption

The act or process of sucking up or in; taking in of nutrients.

Anorexia Nervosa

A psychological disorder involving loss of appetite and excessive weight loss not caused by physical disease.

Antioxidants

Enzymes or organic molecules; help protect the body from harmful chemicals called free radicals.

Basal Metabolic Rate

The rate at which the body uses energy to maintain life when the subject is at complete rest.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

A calculation that measures weight in relation to height and correlates this with body fat; used to determine if an individual is underweight, has ideal weight, or is underweight.

Bulemarexia

Psychological condition in which a person excessively and then uses laxatives or vomits to get rid of the food.

Bulimia

Psychological condition in which a person alternately eats excessively and then fasts or refuses to eat.

Calorie

Unit of measurement of fuel value of food.

Calorie-Controlled Diets

Types of diets that indicate both low-calorie (used for patients that are overweight) and high-calorie (used for patients who are underweight) diets.

Carbohydrates

Group of chemical substances including sugars, cellulose, and starches; nutrients that provide the greatest amount of energy in the average diet.

Cellulose

Fibrous forms of carbohydrates.

Cholesterol

Fatlike substances synthesized in the liver and body cells and animal fats.

Diabetes Mellitus

Metabolic disease caused by an insufficient secretion or utilization of insulin and leading to an increased amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood and urine.

Diabetic Diet

Type of diet used for patients that is used for patients with diabetes mellitus.

Digestion

Physical and chemical breakdown of food by the body.

Essential Nutrients

Those elements of food required by the body for proper function.

Fat-Restricted Diets

Diets with limited amounts of fat or lipids.

Fats

Also called lipids; nutrients that provide the most concentrated form of energy.

Fiber Diets

Types of diets usually classified as high fiber (provides at least 30g of fiber) or low fiber (contains less than 10-15g of fiber).

Hypertension

High blood pressure.

Lipids

Organic compounds commonly called fats and oils; provides the most concentrated form of energy.

Liquid Diets

Types of diets that include both clear liquids and full liquids (both should be used for short periods of time).

Low-Cholesterol Diets

Diets that restrict foods high in saturated fat.

Malnutrition

Poor nutrition; without adequate food and nutrients.

Metabolism

The use of food nutrients by the body to produce energy.

Minerals

Inorganic substances essential for life.

Nutrition

All body processes related to food; the body’s use of food for growth.

Nutritional Status

The state of one's nutrition.

Obesity

Excessive body weight 20 percent or more above the recommended weight.

Overweight

A body weight that is 10-20 percent greater than the average weight for a person’s height.

Peristalsis

Rhythmic, wavelike motion of involuntary muscles.

Protein Diets

Types of diets that include both low-protein (used for patients with certain kidney or renal disease) and high-protein diets (may be used for children and adolescents).

Proteins

Basic compounds of all body cells; one of six essential nutrients for growth.

Regular Diet

A balanced diet that is usually used for the patient with no dietary restrictions.

Sodium Restricted Diets

Special diets containing low or limited amounts of sodium.

Soft Diet

A special diet containing only foods that are soft in texture.

Therapeutic Diets

Diets that are used in the treatment of disease.

Underweight

A body weight that is 10-15 percent less than the desired weight.

Vitamins

Organic substances that are necessary for the body processes and life.

Wellness

That state of being good in health.