Key Terms

Long chains of compounds that make up proteins.

A blend of sucrose, molasses and molasses flavoured syrup. Used for its distinctive flavour and/or for colouring.

Unit of energy produced by food

Simple or complex sugars and starches

An autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that is caused by a reaction to a gluten protein found in wheat, and to similar proteins found in other common grains such as barley and rye

A sterol found in all animal tissues and animal fats. There are two types: low density lipoproteins (LDL or “bad” cholesterol) and high density lipoproteins (HDL or “good” cholesterol)

Nutrient in food mainly found in vegetables, whole-meal breads, and cereals, consisting of a chemical structure that is made up of three or more sugars, which are usually linked together to form a chain.

A type of carbohydrate that cannot be digested by our bodies' enzymes.

A simple sugar found in fruits and honey

Foods that have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques.

A protein composite present in cereal grains, especially wheat, but also found in barley, oats and rye. Composed mainly of two proteins, gliadin and glutenin. Gluten contributes to elasticity and texture in bread doughs and other products containing wheat.

An invert sugar (i.e. a monosaccharide) made by bees from flower nectar. Used as a sweetener for its distinctive flavour. It is hygroscopic - i.e. keeps products moist. Components of honey are levulose and dextrose (there is a tiny fraction of sucrose).

Insoluble element in food that aids in digestive and intestinal processes

A sugar naturally occurring in milk and other dairy products

Nutrients that do provide calories or energy, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins.

Nutrients that do not provide calories or energy, such as minerals and vitamins

Inorganic elements, such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, or sodium, that are essential to the functioning of the human body and are obtained from foods.

Substances in foods that provide nourishment to the body

A list of nutrients found on all packaged foods that shows the percent daily value (% DV) and recommended portion size

Potential Hydrogen. A scale which measures acidity and alkalinity. The lower the pH the more acidic, and the higher the pH the more alkaline. Substances above 8 are considered alkaline and substances below 6 are considered acidic. Substances between 6 and 8 are considered neutral.

Element in plant or animal tissue supplying essential amino acids to the body

Sugars that provide very little nutritional value to the body found in processed sugars and refined cereals, with a chemical structure that is composed of one or two sugars.

An essential nutrient that regulates blood volume, blood pressure, osmotic equilibrium and pH. Most of the sodium in the diet comes from salts and processed foods.

Soluble elements in food that slows down the food digestion

‘Ordinary’ sugar, a disaccharide, it is the form of sugar most familiar to us, coming in various sizes of granulation.

A diet that excludes meat, poultry, and fish products; a person whose diet does not include these food products

Substances that are essential, in small quantities, for the normal functioning of metabolism in the body