You do not need to fit into one category with your diet – you can choose to be vegan some days, and include some animal products of choice on other days. You can always test out and see in what form these diets work for you – after all, your diet should not be a source of stress!
Diet: The word “diet” does not only refer to a way of eating that has weight loss as its main purpose. The word diet also describes the amount and type of food a person may eat in their everyday lives, and the mental/physical aspects that are connected to eating. After all, food is not just fuel – it influences and nourishes our body, and mind.
Omnivore: Those who do not exclude any food from their diet – fish, seafood, meat, poultry, dairy products, as well as any fruit, vegetable and legume can all be a part of this diet.
Vegetarian: Simply refers to somebody who does not consume meat, fish, poultry or seafood. There are variations within being a vegetarian. These are:
Pescatarian: All forms of fish and seafood alongside dairy products and eggs are still consumed.
Lacto-ovo vegetarian: Eggs and dairy products (i.e, milk, yogurt etc.) are still a part of the diet.
Lacto-vegetarian: Dairy products are still consumed.
Vegans: Consume plant-foods only, meaning any food product that comes from an animal is not part of the meal plan (so also things like honey, gelatin (found in gummy bears, for example).
Prevention: In the context of cancer, prevention refers to an activity or measure that reduces your risk for developing certain cancers. Examples of such an activity or measure could be getting screened, or practicing an active, healthy lifestyle.
Legumes: Beans are legumes – but not all legumes are beans. Say what?! Legumes, meanwhile are plants that contain seeds, pods, or other eatable parts inside their shell – which makes beans a subcategory of legumes.
Pulses: When speaking about pulses, one only means the dried seed part of the plant. Examples include dried peas, chickpeas, or lentils.
Fortified foods: These are foods that have one or more micronutrients added to them – these can be vitamins or minerals.
Cholesterol: Both made in the body, but also consumed through certain foods (all animal products), cholesterol is basically a type of fat found in your blood. Our body needs cholesterol in order for organs like our brain and skin to do their jobs. However, too much of it can be harmful to your health, as it can build up in your blood vessels and heighten your risk for heart attacks and strokes.
Daily Value %: The DV% is based on how much a certain nutrient in a serving of a product is contributing towards your daily diet (based on a diet of 2000 kcal. This is a standard number, your needs may be higher or lower than this).
Say the nutrient in question is fat: How much is the fat in the chocolate bar I am eating contributing towards my overall recommended daily amount of fat?
Phytochemicals: Phytochemical compounds are the molecules produced by plants that allow plants to defend themselves against infections and damage. They have antibacterial, antifungal and insecticidal functions that reduce the harm caused by attackers. The protective role of these various phytochemical compounds is not limited to plant health; when consumed, they can benefit human health, as well.
Iron: While plant foods and fortified products contain nonheme iron, heme iron is found only in animal flesh (i.e., from meat, fish, poultry). Animal flesh can also contain nonheme iron, as animals consume plants.
Pantry Staples: These are generally food items that we use frequently, are versatile and have a long-shelf life (i.e., canned items, dry pasta, flours, sugar etc.)