Weight Loss Glossary

A listing of words and terms related to weight loss and dieting. Click on the letter to go to that part of the alphabet and then select the diet or weight loss term that you are interested in.
Gestational Diabetes

A type of diabetes mellitus that can occur when a woman is pregnant. In the second half of her pregnancy, a woman may have glucose (sugar) in her blood at a higher than normal level. In about 95 percent of cases, blood sugar returns to normal after the pregnancy is over. However, women who develop gestational diabetes are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Glucose

A building block for most carbohydrates. Digestion causes some carbohydrates to break down into glucose. After digestion, glucose is carried in the blood and goes to body cells where it is used for energy or stored.
Healthy

This means the product must meet certain criteria that limit the amounts of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, and require specific minimum amounts of vitamins, minerals, or other beneficial nutrients.
Healthy Weight

Compared to overweight or obese, a body weight that is less likely to be linked with any weight-related health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol. A body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered a healthy weight, though not all individuals with a BMI in this range may be at a healthy level of body fat; they may have more body fat tissue and less muscle. A person with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, and a person with a BMI of 30 or more is considered obese.
High Calorie

When 1 serving of a food item contains 400 calories or more.
Lacto-vegetarianism

A form of vegetarianism that includes dairy products but excludes eggs
Lite

Half the fat or a third less of the calories of the regular version.
Love Handles

A colloquial term for a layer of fat that is deposited around a person's midsection, especially visible on the sides over the abdominal external oblique muscle.
Low Calorie

Foods that contain forty calories or less per serving.
Macrobiotic Diet

A diet is a diet of mostly whole grains and beans, fish, vegetables, fruits, and avoiding the use of highly processed or refined foods. Macrobiotics also recommends against overeating, and requiring that food be chewed thoroughly before swallowing.