| A | B |
|---|
| Nutrition | process of providing the body with foods needed for proper growth, maintenance and development |
| Nutrient | compound needed for proper growth and development |
| Essential Nutrient | a nutrient which must be consumed through food because the body cannot manufacture it at all or inadequate amounts for proper maintenance and functioning |
| Non-Essential Nutrient | nutrient the body is able to manufacture in amounts adequate for proper maintenance and functioning |
| Carbohydrate | essential nutrient in the form of sugar, starch or fiber; composed of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen; main source of energy for the body |
| Fat | essential nutrient which provides energy to the body, cushions vital organs and assists in a variety of body processes; can be waxy or oily |
| Protein | essential nutrient containing nitrogen and composed of amino acids; enables the body to form muscle fibers and form enzymes to carry out numerous vital functions |
| Enzyme | proteins which act as catalysts in essential body processes |
| Amino Acid | building blocks of proteins; organic compounds composed of varying chains of hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon and oxygen |
| Essential Amino Acid | amino acids which cannot be manufactured by the body; ten for children and nine for adults |
| Complete Protein | protein containing all nine essential amino acids |
| Incomplete Protein | protein lacking one or more of the nine essential amino acids |
| Complementary Proteins | proteins which can be paired in order to form a complete protein; categories include grains, legumes, nuts and seeds |
| Micronutrients | calorie-free nutrients needed in small amounts by the body for proper functioning |
| Organic Substance | substance which contains carbon |
| Inorganic Substance | substance which does not contain carbon |
| Vitamin | organic substances made by plants or animals which aid the body in maintenance and proper functioning |
| Mineral | inorganic element which aids the body in proper maintenance and functioning |
| Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) | general term describing a set of reference values used to plan and assess the diet of healthy people |
| Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) | average daily nutrient intake level for half of the healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group |
| Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) | the average daily level of intake for 98 percent of healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group |
| Adequate Intake (AI) | nutrient levels set for nutrients which lack evidence to develop an EAR or RDA based on the observed intake of the nutrient in healthy individuals |
| Tolerable Upper Intake Level | highest average daily intake level of a nutrient likely to pose no risk of negative health effects |
| Nutrient Deficiency | condition in which one is lacking a nutrient, preventing the body from performing necessary processes; can cause a variety of symptoms based on the specific deficiency |
| Nutrient Toxicity | consumption of a nutrient to the point the nutrient becomes poisonous and causes adverse effects |
