Key Terms
Absorption
The process in which blood or lymph capillaries pick up the digested nutrients
Bland diet
Consists of easily digested foods that do not irritate the digestive tract
Calorie-controlled diets
Include both low-calorie and high-calorie diets. Low-calorie diets are frequently used for patients who are overweight. High-calorie foods are either prohibited or very limited
Diabetic diet
Is used for patients with diabetes mellitus. In this condition, the body does not produce enough of the hormone insulin to metabolize carbohydrates
Fiber diets
Are usually classified as high fiber or low fiber.
Anorexia nervosa
Commonly called anorexia, a psychological disorder in which a person drastically reduces food intake or refuses to eat at all
Body mass index (BMI)
Is a calculation that measures weight in relation to height and correlates with body fats
Carbohydrates
Are the major source of readily usable human energy. They are commonly called starches or sugars.
Digestion
A process of breaking down foods
Hypertension
High blood pressure; may be caused by an excess amount of fat or salt in the diet; can lead to diseases of the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys.
Antioxidants
organic molecules that help protect the body from harmful chemicals called free radicals.
Bulimarexia
A psychological disorder in which a person alternately binges and then induces vomiting or uses laxatives to get rid of food that has been eaten
Cellulose
Is the fibrous, indigestible form of plant carbohydrate. It is important because it provides bulk in the digestive tract and causes regular bowel movements.
Essential nutrients
Are composed of chemical elements found in food. They are used by the body to perform many different functions.
Lipids
Commonly called fats and oils, are organic compounds
Atherosclerosis
A condition in which arteries are narrowed by the accumulation of fatty substances
Bulimia
A psychological disorder in which a person alternately binges (eats excessively) and then fasts, or refuses to eat at all; in some cases, a person will exercise excessively after binging
Cholesterol
Is a sterol lipid found in body cells and animal products. It is used in the production of steroid hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids. Cholesterol is also a component of cell membranes
Fat-restricted diets
limit fats to less than 50 grams daily
Liquid diets
Include both clear liquids and full liquids
Basal metabolic rate (BMR)
The rate at which the body uses energy just for maintaining its own tissue, without doing any voluntary work
Calorie
Unit of measurement for the amount of heat produced during metabolism
Diabetes mellitus
a metabolic disease caused by an insufficient secretion or use of insulin, leading to an increased level of glucose (sugar) in the blood; heredity, obesity, lack of exercise, and diets high in carbohydrates and sugar contribute to individuals developing this disease
Fats
Provide the most concentrated form of energy, but are a higher calorie option source of energy than carbohydrates. Fats also maintain body temperature by providing insulation, cushion organs and bones, aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and provide flavor to meals.
Low cholesterol diet
restricts food that contains cholesterol and usually limits fats to less than 50 grams (g) daily