Nutritional Needs and health

• Anaemia


  Diet related health condition caused by the lack of iron in the body, where the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin.

  
• Balanced diet


  A diet which provides all the necessary nutrients in the correct amount/proportions to meet the body's needs.

  
• Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)


  The amount of energy (kilojoules or kcals) the body needs to stay alive.

  
• Bone health


  Health of the skeleton

  
• Cardiovascular disease (CHD)


  A narrowing of the arteries that supply your heart with oxygen-rich blood, due to the build-up of fatty deposits within the artery walls.
• Cholesterol


  Carried in the blood attached to proteins called lipoproteins. There are two main forms: LDL (low density lipoprotein) and HDL (high density lipoprotein).

  
• Coeliac


  Cannot absorb the protein gluten. Can result in Coeliac disease: a chronic intestinal disorder caused by sensitivity to the protein gliadin contained in the gluten of cereals.

  
• Dietary Guidelines


  Advice on diet, use of the Eatwell Guide
• Eatwell Guide


  Informs individuals of the variety of food groups required for a healthy balanced diet.

  
• Food intolerance


  A long-term condition, which after some time may cause the consumer to feel unwell and have a range of symptoms.

  
• Free sugars


  All monosaccharides and disaccharides added to foods by the manufacturer, cook, or consumer, plus sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, and fruit juices.

  
• Gluten free


  Food which does not contain gluten (crucial for those with Coeliac disease).

  
• Lactose intolerant


  A condition which means you cannot digest disaccharide sugar lactose.

  
• Life stages


  Phase of development of people through their lives (young children, teenagers, adults, elderly).

  
• Nutrients


  The properties found in food and drinks that give nourishment - vital for growth and the maintenance of life. The main nutrients needed by the human body are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals.

  
• Nutritional analysis


  Nutritional information for different foods, creating a nutritional profile of the specific nutrients in the food.

  
• Obesity


  Diet-related disease where the body contains too much stored fat.

  
• Osteoporosis


  Reduction in mineral content of the bones, this occurs gradually, usually in the elderly.

  
• Physical activity level (PAL)

  Energy balance (% of energy from nutrients), the amount of energy the body uses for movement and physical activity daily.
• Rickets


  Deficiency of calcium in the bones, reducing peak bone mass.

  
• Type 2 diabetes


  A person with type 2 diabetes has insulin resistance, meaning their pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin or the body doesn't react properly to insulin.

  
• Vegan


  People who do not eat flesh or any animal products. They can eat plant protein soya, TVP, tofu.

  
• Vegetarian


  A lacto-vegetarian diet includes dairy products and plants, and a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet includes eggs, dairy products and plants.