Nutrients and Diets
Absorption:
The process where the body takes in nutrients from food through the digestive tract into the bloodstream.
Anorexia Nervosa:
A serious eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.
Antioxidants
Substances that help protect the body's cells from damage.
Atherosclerosis:
A condition where the walls of the arteries become thick and stiff due to the buildup of plaque (fats and cholesterol).
Basal Metabolic Rate
The amount of energy (calories) the body uses just to keep basic functions going while at rest.
Bland Diet:
A diet consisting of soft, low-fiber foods that are easy to digest; usually avoids spicy or fried foods.
Body Mass Index
A measurement that uses height and weight to determine if a person's weight is in a healthy range.
Bulimarexia:
A condition that combines symptoms of both anorexia and bulimia.
Bulimia
An eating disorder involving cycles of binge eating followed by "purging" (like vomiting or using laxatives).
Calorie
A unit of energy used to measure how much energy food provides to the body.
Calorie-Controlled Diets:
Meal plans that limit or increase calories to help a person lose or gain weight.
Carbohydrates:
The body’s primary source of energy, found in foods like bread, pasta, and fruits.
Cellulose
A type of fiber found in the cell walls of plants that helps with digestion.
Cholesterol:
A waxy, fat-like substance found in all cells of the body; too much can lead to heart issues.
Diabetes Mellitus:
A metabolic disease where the body cannot properly produce or use insulin, leading to high blood sugar.
Diabetic Diet:
A healthy-eating plan naturally rich in nutrients and low in fat and calories, designed to manage blood sugar.
Digestion
The process of breaking down food into smaller parts so the body can use it for energy.
Essential Nutrients:
Nutrients the body cannot make on its own (like certain vitamins and minerals) that must come from food.
Fat-Restricted Diets:
A diet that limits the intake of fats to help with conditions like gallbladder or liver disease.
Fats:
A concentrated source of energy that helps the body absorb vitamins and protects organs.
Fiber Diets:
A diet high in plant-based carbohydrates that helps with digestion and prevents constipation.
Hypertension:
High blood pressure, which can put extra strain on the heart and blood vessels.
Lipids:
Another word for fats and oils.
Liquid Diets:
A diet consisting only of liquids (clear or full), often used before medical tests or surgeries.
Low-Cholesterol Diet:
A diet that limits foods high in saturated fats and cholesterol (like red meats and full-fat dairy).