Glossary - Nutritional Terms
Calorie
A calorie is a basic unit used to measure the energy contained in food. More specifically, it is
the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 litre of water by 1 degree
Celsius. When you eat food, you are consuming the energy that is stored within the protein,
carbohydrate and fat molecules of that food.
1 Calorie = 1 kilocalorie = 1,000 calories = 4.184 kilojoules = 4,184 joules
Salt
Salt contains sodium, a naturally occurring mineral needed by the body to maintain life.
Sodium occurs in many forms such as sodium chloride (table salt), sodium bicarbonate
(baking soda) and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Sodium is especially important in the diet
because of its effect in conserving water. Certain foods are naturally higher in sodium, such
as celery, buttermilk, and some cheeses. Others, like canned or processed foods, have
higher levels due to the salt added in processing. High intakes of dietary salt may contribute
to high blood pressure or to your body retaining too much water.
Protein
Protein contains complex chains of amino acids necessary for conducting a variety of body
functions, such as building tissues, making important body chemicals
(e.g. enzymes and hormones) and maintaining growth and repair processes. While many
plant-based foods contain some protein, including beans, peas, vegetables, nuts and seeds,
these foods do not contain all the essential amino acids. Other protein sources from
animals such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products (milk, cheese and yogurt) are
considered higher in protein content since they contain all essential amino acids. Each gram
of protein provides four calories of energy.
Fat
Fats occur naturally in foods and play an important role in nutrition. Fats, oils and some
foods like nuts (e.g., peanuts, walnuts and almonds) are a concentrated source of energy for
the body. Fats store energy in the body, protect tissues and transport fat-soluble vitamins in
the blood. Fat is found in meats, fish, and meat substitutes, breads, starches and some dairy
products. Fat supplies nine calories per gram, twice as many as protein or carbohydrate.
Carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are the body's primary source of readily available energy. The main forms of
carbohydrate are sugars and starches. Sources of simple carbohydrates include table sugar,
candy and refined flour products. Complex carbohydrates include starches like oatmeal,
high fibre cereals and whole wheat flour products. Together simple and complex sugars are
broken down in the body into glucose. Glucose is the preferred type of energy used by vital
organs and, especially, the brain. Each gram of carbohydrate provides four calories of
energy.
Sugar alcohol is a type of carbohydrate that is used to sweeten foods and can come from
natural and manufactured sources. They include sorbitol, mannitol and glycerol found
when a small range of foods including fruit and vegetables, snack bars and confectionery
were analysed.
20
738
Pie, sweet, lemon meringue, baked, homemade
739
Pigeon (squab), whole, raw
740
Pikelet, commercial
741
Pineapple (cayenne), peeled, raw
742
Pineapple, canned in pineapple juice
743
Pineapple, canned in pineapple juice, drained
744
Pineapple, fresh, cooked in light syrup, drained
745
Pizza, ham & pineapple, takeaway style
746
Pizza, supreme, takeaway style
747
Plum, dark, canned in syrup
748
Plum, dark, canned in syrup, drained
749
Plum, unpeeled, raw
750
Pomegranate, peeled, raw
751
Popcorn, air-popped, no added fat or salt
752
Popcorn, regular, commercial
753
Pork rind snack
754
Pork, crackling, roasted, salted
755
Pork, diced, as purchased, raw
756
Pork, diced, as purchased, stir fried
757
Pork, fillet, fully-trimmed, raw
758
Pork, fillet, fully-trimmed, roasted
759
Pork, leg roast, as purchased, raw
760
Pork, leg roast, as purchased, roasted without
oil or fat
761
Pork, loin chop, as purchased, dry-fried
762
Pork, loin chop, as purchased, raw
763
Pork, loin roast, as purchased, raw
764
Pork, loin roast, as purchased, roasted without
oil or fat
765
Pork, medallion or loin steak, as purchased, raw
766
Pork, mince, as purchased, dry fried
767
Pork, mince, as purchased, raw
768
Pork, rump steak, as purchased, raw
769
Pork, strips, as purchased, raw
770
Pork, strips, as purchased, stir-fried
771
Potato crisp or chip, salt & vinegar flavoured
772
Potato crisps or chips, flavoured (other than salt
& vinegar)
773
Potato crisps or chips, plain, reduced fat, salted
774
Potato crisps or chips, plain, salted
775
Potato crisps or chips, plain, unsalted
776
Potato straws, plain
777
Potato, chips, regular, deep fried, blended oil,
from take-away outlet, salted
778
Potato, chips, regular, deep fried,
mono-unsaturated oil, from take-away outlet,
salted
779
Potato, chips, regular, par-fried in canola oil,
purchased frozen, baked without oil
