Originally published July 21 2005
Website breaks down some of the more confusing diet lingo
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Because of soaring obesity rates, America is becoming diet obsessed. Some people may feel left behind by all the buzzwords being tossed around, so U.S. Newswire recently produced a lexicon of terms for the uninitiated in a recent article.
To ease the bewilderment, here's a primer from the nutrition experts at the U.S. Potato Board (USPB) who, along with the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans and most of the scientific community, have long advocated for a diet rich in fruits and vegetables to maintain a healthy body weight and stave off chronic illness.
DASH is an eating plan that is low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol and encourages the consumption of lots of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.
The DASH plan grew out of research supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute which showed that blood pressure could be reduced by consuming foods high in certain key nutrients, namely potassium, magnesium, calcium, and fiber.
Macro and Micro Nutrients - Macro nutrients are required by the body in large amounts for growth and survival; generally the term refers to carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
Nutrient Density - The amount of nutrients relative to the calorie value (nutrient density equals nutrients per calorie).
Foods that are high in nutrient density, such as fruits and vegetables, provide substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals for relatively few calories.
Foods that have a high water and/or fiber content, such as fruits and vegetables, have been shown to promote satiety.
Glycemic Index (GI) - Originally developed as a tool for the dietary management of diabetes, the GI generally describes the impact that a carbohydrate-rich food has on blood glucose levels relative to a reference food (typically either white bread or glucose).
Volumetrics - An eating plan for losing or maintaining body weight.
Foods that have a high water and/or fiber content but don't carry many calories, like fruits, vegetables, and broth-based soups, are encouraged.
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