Diets

A

Agroecology A farming approach that applies the principles of ecology to food production, aiming for sustainable, resilient systems that…

C

Calorie restriction A voluntary, long-term reduction in calorie intake (without malnutrition), studied for its effects on longevity and metabolic health. Carb cycling A nutrition strategy of alternating high- and low-carbohydrate days according to activity, used in sport and weight management.

D

DASH diet A dietary approach designed to lower blood pressure, based on cutting sodium and increasing potassium, calcium and magnesium.

E

Energy deficit When calorie expenditure exceeds intake, forcing the body to draw on its reserves (fat, glycogen). It is the…

F

Fasting A term for going without food, often used to mean intermittent fasting, popularised by wellbeing and weight-management trends. Flexitarianism A mostly plant-based way of eating that still includes meat and fish occasionally, balancing health and environmental benefits… Food waste Loss of food fit for consumption anywhere along the chain from production to consumption, a major environmental, economic…

I

Intermittent fasting An approach that alternates periods of fasting (no calories) with eating windows on a regular schedule (e.g. 16/8,…

K

Ketosis A metabolic state in which the body, in the absence of carbohydrate, makes ketones from fat to fuel…

L

Local food An approach favouring food produced nearby, valued for freshness, support for the local economy and a supposedly lower…

M

Mediterranean diet The traditional eating pattern of the Mediterranean basin, built on olive oil, plant foods, pulses and fish, and… Mindful eating An approach to eating with full awareness, paying attention to sensations, hunger and fullness, without distraction or judgement,… Mono diet (monophagia) The practice of eating only one type of food over a given period (a meal, a day), wrongly…

R

Refeed A planned period of temporarily higher calorie intake (mainly carbohydrate) during a diet, aimed at countering the metabolic…

S

Seasonal eating An approach of eating fruit and vegetables when they are naturally harvested locally, for freshness, taste, nutritional value… Slow Food A movement born in reaction to fast food, promoting "good, clean and fair" eating: tasty, environmentally friendly and… Superfoods A marketing term with no regulatory definition, applied to foods presented as exceptionally rich in nutrients, without that… Sustainable diet A way of eating that seeks to reconcile health, low environmental impact, affordability and respect for cultural practices,…

V

Veganism A way of living that excludes all animal-derived products (meat, fish, eggs, dairy, honey), motivated mainly by animal… Vegetarianism A way of eating that excludes meat (red meat, poultry, fish) but generally includes eggs, dairy products and…

Y

Yo-yo dieting A cycle of weight loss and regain, often beyond the starting weight, sustained by the metabolic and hormonal…