Nutrition Vocab

Amino Acids

Amino Acids

building blocks of proteins

Anemia

lack of iron

Anorexia Nervosa

eating disorder characterized by a distorted body image and a major concern of weight gain

Antioxidants

nutrients that may prevent premature aging, certain cancers, heart disease, and other health problems

Body Composition

percent body fat plus lean body weight

Bulimia Nervosa

eating disorder characterized by gorging on thousands of calories after a period of starvation, and then purges by inducing vomiting and further fasting or through the use of diuretics or laxatives

Caloric Balance

number of calories consumed - number of calories expended

Carbohydrate

the body's most efficient energy source

sugars, starches, and fibers

Cholesterol

the best known sterol

only found in animals

Creatine

• naturally occurring organic compound synthesized by the kidneys, liver, and pancreas -obtained from ingesting meat and fish -integral role in energy metabolisms

• improves exercise recovery because its a lactic acid buffer

Dietary Supplement

a manufactured product used to fill in nutritional gaps in a person's diet

Electrolytes

electrically charged ions dissolved in body water

includes sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium

Essential Nutrients

must be supplied to the body via diet

Fat Soluble Vitamins

A, D, E, K

found in fatty portions of foods and oils

Fiber

forms the structural parts of plants and is not digested by humans

Lactase Deficiency

lactose intolerance

difficulty digesting dairy products

Lactovegetarians

people who consume milk products and plant foods

Macronutrients

carbohydrates, proteins, and fats

the absorbable components of food from which energy is derived

Metabolism

the biotransformation of food into energy

Micronutrients

vitamins, water, and minerals

necessary for regulating normal body functions

Minerals

inorganic substances that have a role in body function

usually stored in bones and liver

Nutrients

grow, repair, and maintain the tissues of the body, regulate body processes, and produce energy

Ovolactovegetarians

people who consume diary products, eggs, and plant based food

Percent Body Fat

the proportion of fat a person has compared to lean tissue

Proteins

make up the major structural components of te hbody

needed for growth, maintenance, and repair of all body tissue

Semivegetarians

people who consume some meat products, but exclude red meat

Starches

complex carbohydrates formed by long chains of glucose

Vegans

people who consume plant foods only, NO animal products

Vegetarianism

an alternative to the usual American diet that centers around plant based foods

Vitamins

preform essential functions, primarily as regulators of body processes

required in less amounts than water, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins

Water Soluble Vitamins

B-complex and C

many are needed to regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to obtain energy