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.
Milligram

A unit of measure used on nutrition labels to show the amount of minerals in foods. There are 1,000 milligrams in a gram, and 454 grams in a pound. 1 milligram is 1 four hundred fifty four thousandth of a pound.
Minerals

Minerals are used in the formation of teeth and bones (Calcium), the creation of red blood cell (Iron), and to promote chemical reactions and form body structures.
Muffin Top

A muffin top is a pejorative term used for a person whose midsection spills over the waistline of his or her trousers in a manner that resembles the top of a muffin spilling over its baking pan.
Natural

This means the product does not contain synthetic or artificial ingredients.
Nutrient

The vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the foods that you eat that help your body function and grow.
Organic

For good to be labeled organic it must meet the standards set by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Organic food differs from conventionally produced food in the way it is grown or produced.
Ounce

A unit of weight or a measure of the volume of liquids. There are 16 ounces in one pound, and there are 8 ounces in a cup.
Ovo-vegetarianism

A form of vegetarianism that includes eggs but not dairy,
Percent Daily Value (% DV)

A number on food labels that tells you if there's a lot or a little of a nutrient in a serving of food. 5% DV or less of a nutrient in a serving is low; 20% DV or more is high.
Pescetarianism

A diet that excludes all meat except fish, shellfish, and crustacea.