Glossary

Blood sugar levels:  Blood sugar is a term used to refer to levels of glucose in the blood. Blood sugar concentration, or serum glucose level, is tightly regulated in the human body. Glucose, transported via the bloodstream, is the primary source of energy for the body´s cells.

Body Mass Index:  BMI is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

Bran:  Bran is the outermost layer of the cereal grain. The bran, which contains the most fibre, is removed when the grain is milled to produce white flour.

Carbohydrates:  Carbohydrates can come from three different areas: simple sugars, complex carbohydrates or starches and dietary fibre. Approximately 50% of our body’s energy should come from carbohydrates. Carbohydrate foods include rice, bread, cereals, fruit and vegetables.

Fortified foods:  Fortified foods have one or more essential vitamins and minerals added (whether or not the nutrient is naturally contained in the food) at levels higher than either that of the natural content or after restoration. Nutrients are added for the purpose of enhancing a food’s contribution to nutrition and health.

Guidance Daily Amounts (GDAs):  Please see http://gda.ciaa.eu/asp2/guideline-daily-amounts.asp for more information.

Health claims:  Health claims are generally understood to be statements, symbols or other representation describing the relationship between diet and health, including the reduction of disease risk associated with the consumption of certain foodstuffs.

Protein:  Proteins consist of smaller units called amino acids which when combined can form different types of proteins. We use amino acids to help replace organ tissue organs as well as to grow muscles, hair, nail and skin. Amino acids are also used to create blood and help make antibodies to help fight illnesses. Protein rich foods include milk, fish, meat, nuts, cheese and eggs.

Recommended Daily Allowance:  Recommended daily Allowances, known as RDAs, they are recommendations for nutrient intakes, stating the amount of a nutrient that is needed for most people to stay healthy. They are different for children, adults, males, and females.

Whole grain:  Whole grains are cereal grains which retain the bran and germ as well as the endosperm, in contrast to refined grains which retain only the endosperm.