GLOSSARY

Anti-inflammatory - Anti-inflammatory foods are those which reduce the chance of inflammation in the body that cause inflammation. With many medical conditions being linked to inflammation, medication and other treatments can help but an anti-inflammatory diet is often the preferable eating choice.

BRAT - This special diet is known as BRAT due to its recommended food items ie. Bananas, Rice, Apple sauce and Toast. These foods are gentle on the digestive system and recommended after a bout of diarrhea or vomiting.

Calories - The calorie is a unit of energy that is often used to measure the energy value of foods when they are consumed. For example, if a food item contains 100 calories, that is the energy equivalent the body can obtain from eating or drinking it.

Cholesterol - Cholesterol is a type of fat made in the liver and found in the blood and all cells of the body. Whilst a certain amount of cholesterol is necessary for proper functioning of the body, too much cholesterol can be bad.

Carbohydrates - One of the three main macronutrients, carbohydrates provide energy to the body. Their chemical structure can be either simple or complex, with carbohydrates appearing in the form of sugars, starches and fibre.

DASH - The DASH diet is the abbreviated form for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. This eating plan, which includes vegetables, fruits and whole grains, is specifically designed to lower or control high blood pressure.

Diabetes - Diabetes is a disease that occurs when blood sugar levels become too high and are not being adequately controlled by the hormone insulin, produced by the body, which usually helps process the sugar into energy.

Diet - A person's diet is the food and drink they consume for nourishment. This can be specially prescribed for certain conditions, or limited in order to reduce weight or gain health.

Fasting - Fasting involves abstinence from food or drink, or both, for a prescribed period or at intermittent times. Fasting may be conducted for health purposes or for religious or ethical reasons.

Fat - One of the three main macronutrients, fat is a natural, oily substance that is used or stored for energy. Some fats are essential for body function, such as essential fatty acids. Excess fat is stored in a layer under the skin or around certain organs of the body.

Fodmap - FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols, which are carbohydrates that are not well absorbed in the small intestine and may cause digestive distress. A FODMAP diet is followed to avoid these compounds.

Health - Health involves the person's complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and can be viewed as the presence or absence of disease or medically measured risk factors in an individual.

Hypertension - Hypertension is a condition where the blood pressure is higher than normal. Although blood pressure changes throughout the day, it is not healthy for the blood vessels to have persistently raised pressure.

Keto - Keto is the short form of Ketosis which is the body's state when it burns fat in the absence of enough carbohydrates to burn for energy. A Ketogenic, or Keto, diet is low in carbohydrates but high in protein.

Meal Plan - A meal plan involves an advance schedule of the menu of meals that are going to be consumed. This allows for easier shopping and preparation, as well as economy of time and materials.

Paleo - Paleo relates to ancient and primitive ideas, hence a paleo diet typically includes foods that could be obtained in the past by hunting and gatherins, for example fruits, nuts, vegetables, fish and meat.

Plant Based - A plant based diet consists of eating meals that primarily consist of foods derived from plants rather than animal products, for example from vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains and pulses.

Protein - One of the three main macronutrients, protein is an important dietary component responsive for structure and support of cells in the body. With large, complex molecules composed of amino acids, proteins are an essential part of all living organisms.