Nutrition: Glossary

C

calorie

The energy store in food is measured in calories, which is the amount of heat at a pressure of one atmosphere to raise the temperature of one gram of water one degree Celsius

carbohydrates

provide energy. Sugars and starches are sources of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates provide a great part of the energy in our diets

D

diet

A healthy diet provides all the nutrients we need in a day. The amount a child needs from each food group depends on age, gender and daily physical activity. Children who are very physically active, for example, need more than children who get little or no physical activity

digestion

the process of breaking up food into smaller and smaller parts so that your body can use the nutrients that are in the food

digestive system

the system from your

F

fats

store energy. Fats produce more than twice as much energy as carbohydrates. Fat is stored in the body for later use when carbohydrates are in short supply

food pyramid

a food guidance system developed by the USDA that provides many options to help Americans make healthy food choices and to be active every day. The Food Pyramid was replaced in 2011 with MyPlate in order to make eating healthy more convenient and easier to manage

fruit

the sweet, fleshy, seed-containing part of a tree or other plant used for food. Learn more about fruits at MyPlate.gov

G

grains

small, hard, dry seeds, with or without attached hulls or fruit layers, harvested for food. Learn more about grains at MyPlate.gov

M

MyPlate

a guidance system created by the Food and Drug Administration in 2011 that uses a plate as a tool to create healthy meals

minerals

the parts of food that help build bones and teeth

N

nutrients

the necessary building blocks of various cell parts. These compounds include carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals. Read more

P

protein

helps your body repair and grow. Besides the muscles, protein can be found almost anywhere in the body because it is used to make cells

V

vegetables

plants or plant parts, such as stems, leaves or roots, used as food. Learn more about vegetables at MyPlate.gov

vegetarian

one whose diet consists only of plants. Read More

vitamins

are essential in very small quantities for normal health, and that they are needed for chemical reactions in the cells, working in association with enzymes. They do not provide energy

W

whole grains

contain the entire grain kernel, the bran, germ and and endersperm. Whole grains contain dietary fiber, iron and many B vitamins. Example: Oatmeal