Struggling to understand some of the flamin' nutrition jargon?
We've got you covered with our extensive listed of nutrition-related keywords, all explained for you.
- Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): Amount of energy (calories) your body needs to function at rest.
- Maintenance Calories: The amount of calories you should be consuming to keep your body weight stable.
- Adipose: Fatty tissue
- Glycogen: A broken down source of glucose that provides muscles with a readily source of energy.
- Low GI (Low Glycemic Index): Based on a relative ranking, carbohydrate sources that score lower than 55 are considered low GI. This mean they have a more gradual effect on the body, blood sugar rises slower meaning you don't experience that crash after eating a high GI food like sugary sweets.
- Macro (Macronutrients): The main types of food consumed within the diet. The three macronutrients are carbohydrates, fat and protein.
- Micronutrients: Chemical substances that are required in smaller amounts by the body. Also known as vitamins and minerals.
- Glucose: A simple sugar found in carbohydrates that gives the body energy.
- Amino Acids: An organic compound forming the base of all proteins.
- Unsaturated Fat: A type of fat containing at least one double bond molecule. These are healthier sources of fat.
- Saturated Fat: A type of fat without any double bond molecules. These need to be limited within the diet.
- Trans Fat: Artificially created fat. These should try to be avoided where possible.
- Ketosis: A state in which the body uses fat stores for energy rather than carbohydrates.
- Water Retention: When fluid builds up within the body.
- Ketones: A type of chemical produced by the liver when fat is broken down for energy.
- Fasting: The chosen abstinence for food.