Directory

Erythritol (natural sweetener, sugar alcohol)

A natural sugar alcohol present in fruits such as grapes and melons, in mushrooms, and in fermented foods. Commercially, it's produced from the fermentation of glucose by yeast. It's used as a calorie-free sugar alternative. Unlike maltitol and sorbitol, ...

Essential fatty acid (EFA; macronutrient, polyunsaturat...

Also known as essential fat. A type of fat that's essential to an organism's metabolism and can't be synthesized within the body, meaning that it must be obtained from dietary sources. In humans, EFAs include the omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) an ...

Essential fatty acid ratio

The relative proportion of dietary omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids. Because omega-3 fatty acids and their derivatives tend to promote anti-inflammatory processes whereas some omega-6 fatty acid derivatives can strongly promote inflammation, the respective ...

Fat (macronutrient)

A class of compounds that isn't soluble in water and that also have specific chemical and nutritive properties. Fats are an essential nutrient for human health, but can be harmful if consumed in excess or if unhealthy types of fats are eaten. See also Ch ...

Fatty acid (macronutrient, type of fat)

The technical term for certain types of fat that are comprised of a chain of carbon and hydrogen atoms (called a hydrocarbon chain) and that have two oxygen atoms at one end (which is the "acid group"). Fatty acids may or may not be linked to a "backbone" ...

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

A vegetable that's part of the carrot and celery (Apiaceae/Umbelliferae) family. It resembles a head of celery with a bulbous base. The white bulb is eaten raw in salads or cooked as a seasoning and garnish. The seeds are also used as a culinary herb and ...

Fenugreek (Trigonella feonicum-gracum)

A bean plant with very hard seeds, used as a culinary spice and medicine. Fenugreek is native to the Middle East and common in the region's cuisine. Its dominant flavor and aroma is recognizable in commercial curry powders. It's used to reduce mucus in t ...

Fibre (indigestible complex carbohydrate)

The indigestible portion of plant (or animal) foods that can't be broken down by human enzymes and absorbed into the bloodstream. It eases defecation by absorbing water and pushing food through the digestive system. Dietary fibre can be soluble (able t ...

Fibromyalgia (FM or FMS; neuromuscular disorder)

A condition characterized by chronic widespread pain that may include symptoms such as severe fatigue, bowel dysfunction, sleep disturbance, memory loss, anxiety, depression, and joint stiffness. Some studies have shown a link between excess gut permeabi ...

Ficin (enzyme)

Also known as ficain. A protein-digesting enzyme (protease) isolated from the latex of the fig fruit (Ficus spp.).

Fillet (food preparation technique; type of cut)

A boneless lean cut of meat, fish, or poultry. A way of preparing these animal proteins. *

Flavonoid (antioxidant, phyotnutrient, plant pigment)

Also known as bioflavonoid, vitamin P. A class of water-soluble plant pigments that have powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects in plants and animals. Studies also suggest flavonoids have anticancer properties. Good sources of ...

Flax seed (Linum usitatissimum)

Also known as linseed. Flax seeds come in two basic varietiesǃ

Floret (plant part)

Individual flower and stems from the heads of vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower. *

FOS

See Fructo-oligosaccharide.

Free radical (reactive substance; metabolic toxin)

Compounds that are chemically very reactive. Inside the body, free radicals are formed naturally as by-products of metabolism or are ingested or inhaled from the environment. If free radicals in the body aren't neutralized (for example, by antioxidants ...

Frittata (egg dish)

An Italian egg omelet made without a crust.

Fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS; complex carbohydrate, fibr...

Also known as oligofructan, oligofructose. A complex carbohydrate fibre found naturally in asparagus, banana, chicory root, garlic, jicama root, leek, onion, tomato, yacón tuber. It’s a type of prebiotic and is used as an additive in some foods to incr ...

Fructose (sugar)

Also known as levulose. A simple sugar. It's often referred to as fruit sugar because it's present in fruits. It must be converted into glucose by the liver or small intestine before it's absorbed, so it's absorbed into the bloodstream slower than pure g ...