Nutrition Glossary

The building blocks of protein. There are 20 amino acids; 9 are essential and must come from food.

How efficiently your body absorbs and uses nutrients.

Calories your body burns at rest to support vital functions like breathing, circulation, and cell repair.

A natural stimulant found in coffee, tea, and energy drinks.

Consuming fewer calories than you burn. This is the primary driver of fat loss.

Minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium) that regulate hydration and nerve/muscle function.

Calories a food or drink provides relative to its weight or volume.

Ranks foods (0–100) by how fast they raise blood sugar.

Maintaining proper fluid balance in the body; dehydration impacts energy, focus, and performance.

How effectively cells respond to insulin to take up glucose.

Nutrients needed in large amounts: protein, carbohydrates, and fats.

Nutrients needed in small amounts for health; deficiencies affect immunity, metabolism, and energy.

Daily nutrient intake levels set to meet the needs of most healthy individuals.

The feeling of fullness that reduces appetite; higher satiety makes calorie control easier.

Calories burned daily: BMR + activity + digestion (TEF). Determines whether you maintain, lose, or gain weight.

Energy burned digesting and absorbing food. Protein has the highest TEF, aiding calorie burn.