| low-fat diet | A diet containing minimal amounts of fat.Diets containing low amounts of fat and cholesterol are designed to reduce the risk of heart disease and, in some cases, cancer. Dozens of such diets have been promulgated, both by medical and lay advisors. Their popularity can be attributed in part to clinical studies that have, since the 1980s, revealed, on the one hand, the hazards of eating high-fat, high-cholesterol foods and, on the other, the benefits of ingesting less saturated fat and LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol. Although coronary deaths have been reduced by roughly 30% since 1970, the aim of health officials is to further reduce heart attack rates. The average cholesterol level among adult Americans has fallen from 213 to 205 mg/dl since 1978. However, the National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that individuals maintain a total cholesterol level of no more than 200 mg/dl, with LDL at less than 130 mg/dl and HDL (high density lipoprotein) around 60 mg/dl. About one-half of American adults exceed those recommendations. Low-fat, low-cholesterol diets are rich in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and legumes, and limit or exclude consumption of processed oils, dairy products, nuts and seeds, and meats. See atherosclerosis, free radicals. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| acid-ash diet | A diet consisting mainly of fruits, vegetables, and milk (with minimal amounts of meat, fish, eggs, cheese, and cereals), which, when catabolised, leave an alkaline residue to be excreted in the urine. Synonym: acid-ash diet, basic diet. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| alkaline-ash diet | A diet consisting mainly of fruits, vegetables, and milk (with minimal amounts of meat, fish, eggs, cheese, and cereals), which, when catabolised, leave an alkaline residue to be excreted in the urine. Synonym: acid-ash diet, basic diet. (05 Mar 2000) |
| balanced diet | A diet containing the essential nutrients with a reasonable ration of all the major food groups. (05 Mar 2000) |
| basal diet | A diet having a caloric value equal to the basal heat production and sufficient quanties of essential nutrients to meet basic needs, in experiments in nutrition, a diet from which a given constituent (e.g., a vitamin, mineral, or amino acid), the nutritional value of which is to be determined, is omitted for a period and the effects observed; the subject is observed for a second period during which the ingredient being studied is added to the diet. (05 Mar 2000) |
| basic diet | A diet consisting mainly of fruits, vegetables, and milk (with minimal amounts of meat, fish, eggs, cheese, and cereals), which, when catabolised, leave an alkaline residue to be excreted in the urine. Synonym: acid-ash diet, basic diet. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bland diet | A regular diet omitting foods that mechanically or chemically irritate the gastrointestinal tract. (05 Mar 2000) |
| rachitic diet | A diet that will induce rickets in susceptible experimental animals. (05 Mar 2000) |
| macrobiotic diet | A diet claimed to promote longevity, often by promoting an emphasis on natural foods and restrictions on non-cereal foods, as well as liquids. (05 Mar 2000) |
| reducing diet | A diet in which caloric expenditure is greater than caloric intake. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Giordano-Giovannetti diet | A diet designed for patients with renal failure; it provides small amounts of protein, primarily as essential amino acids, along with alpha-keto derivatives of amino acids; breakdown of protein in skeletal muscle is retarded and, because transaminase reactions are reversible, a small proportion of the ammonia released by urea breakdown is used for synthesis of nonessential amino acids. Synonym: Giovannetti diet. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Giovannetti diet | A diet designed for patients with renal failure; it provides small amounts of protein, primarily as essential amino acids, along with alpha-keto derivatives of amino acids; breakdown of protein in skeletal muscle is retarded and, because transaminase reactions are reversible, a small proportion of the ammonia released by urea breakdown is used for synthesis of nonessential amino acids. Synonym: Giovannetti diet. (05 Mar 2000) |
| gluten-free diet | Elimination of all wheat, rye, barley, and oat gluten from the diet; treatment for gluten-sensitive enteropathy (coeliac disease). See: coeliac disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| challenge diet | A diet in which one or more specific substances are included for the purpose of determining whether an abnormal reaction occurs. (05 Mar 2000) |
| gout diet | A diet containing a minimal quantity of purine bases (meats); liver, kidney, and sweetbread especially are excluded and replaced by dairy products, fruits, and cereals; alcoholic beverages also are excluded. Synonym: purine-free diet. (05 Mar 2000) |
| rice diet | A diet of rice, fruit, and sugar, plus vitamin and iron supplements, devised by Kempner to treat hypertension. In 2,000 calories, the diet contains 5 gm or less of fat, about 20 gm of protein, and not more than 150 mg of sodium. Synonym: Kempner diet. (05 Mar 2000) |