My project

carbohydrates

chemical compounds that contain O, H and C; they're found in pastry, potatoes, rice etc.; e.g. sugars, starches, glycogen

protein

a nutrient comprised of long chains of amino acids, essential for the growth of muscles, DNA etc.

lipid

a natural compound that does NOT dissolve in water

saturated fats

solid and (almost exclusively) animal fats;

unsaturated fats

oils and liquid fats; generally healthier

vitamins

essential nutrients that CANNOT be synthesised and thus have to be consumed

digestion

the breakdown of food into smaller parts that can be absorbed in the small intestine

macronutrients

substances that are essential and have to be consumed in substantial amounts, e.g. protein, fats, water

micronutrients

substances that are essential but only have to be consumed in small quantities, e.g. vitamins, zinc, iodine

glucose

the primary source of energy for the body; is absorbed in the small intestine

fructose

is broken down into glucose in the liver; does not spike the insulin levels so much

insulin

a hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood

glycemic index

system that ranks carbohydrate-containing foods on a scale of 0 to 100 based on how quickly they raise blood sugar levels after eating

overweight

having more body fat than is optimally healthy for a given height

obesity

a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat

malnutrition

a condition that occurs when the diet does not provide the right amount of nutrients

wasting, stunting, underweight

Low weight-for-height, Low height-for-age, Low weight-for-height

enzymes

proteins that act as biological catalysts

metabolism

chemical reactions in the body that convert food into energy and build/repair cells

Mediterranean

Stredozemný (geo. názov)

abundance

more than enough; a very sufficient amount

contemporary

belonging or occurring in the present

GMO

any organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques (not by breeding!)