Talking about Healthy Eating in English

Talking about Healthy Eating in English (Useful Vocabulary & Natural Examples)

Talking about Healthy Eating in English

Hello dear English learners! Healthy eating is one of those evergreen topics that never quite goes out of style. Open any magazine or scroll through social media, and you’ll find people talking about superfoods, plant-based diets, vitamins, and balanced meals.

But… do you really feel confident using this vocabulary in English?

Let’s fix that today. In this lesson, you’ll learn essential words and expressions for talking about healthy eating, together with clear explanations and natural example sentences.

1. Macronutrients: Proteins, Carbohydrates & Fats

Proteins

Proteins help us build and repair muscles, organs, and tissues.

• Vegetarians get their protein from beans, legumes, lentils, nuts, and cereals.
• Tom lost some muscle mass because he wasn’t active and didn’t have enough protein in his diet.

Carbohydrates (carbs)

Carbs include foods like bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, and sweets.

• Reduce your carb intake if you want to lose weight.
• A diet rich in fibre tends to be naturally low in carbohydrates.

Fats

Fats come from oils, nuts, seeds, butter, and fried foods. Some fats are healthy — but too much is never ideal.

• We should buy low-fat milk for coffee.
• As a rule, foods high in fat are also high in calories.

2. Other Essential Nutrients

Food also contains vitamins, minerals, fibre, calories, amino acids, sugar, salt, and cholesterol.

• Our bodies can’t produce vitamins, so we must get them from food.
• This oat milk is enriched with minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
• Dried figs are very high in fibre, so they’re great for digestion.
• Sara is on a low-calorie diet and avoids bread and fried foods.
• Salmon is extremely rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help protect your heart.
• If you want to stay healthy, cut your sugar and salt intake.

3. Types of Diets: Vegetarian, Vegan & More

Vegetarian

A person who doesn’t eat meat or fish.

• It took time, but she eventually got used to the vegetarian diet.

Vegan

A person who avoids all animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, honey).

• After learning more about animal welfare, Fiona decided to become vegan.

Pescatarian

A person who doesn’t eat meat or poultry but eats fish.

• Pescatarians often eat lots of fruit, vegetables, grains, and seafood.

Gluten-free

For people with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity.

• If you have digestive issues, try a gluten-free diet for a while.

Dairy-free

For people who are lactose intolerant or want to avoid dairy.

• Let’s go to that new healthy restaurant — they have plenty of dairy-free options.

4. Key Vocabulary for Healthy Eating

Balanced diet

Eating the right amount of protein, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

• Everyone agrees that a balanced diet is essential for good health.
• A balanced diet combined with regular exercise is the secret to a healthy lifestyle.

Nutrients

Substances in food that help us grow and stay healthy.

• When we digest food, nutrients enter the bloodstream.
• A balanced diet provides all the nutrients the body needs.

Processed food

Food that has been altered during preparation — often containing additives.

• Processed food is usually full of sugar, salt, and preservatives.
• Homemade snacks are much healthier than highly processed supermarket cakes.

Superfood

Foods rich in nutrients, antioxidants, or other health-boosting properties.

• Spirulina is considered a superfood because of its antioxidant benefits.
• Lingonberries are a superfood that may help lower blood pressure.

Detox / Detoxification

Removing toxins from the body through fasting or a strict diet.

• Mary went on a 24-hour detox and drank only water.
• Detox diets can be restrictive, but many people feel refreshed afterwards.

5. Useful Expressions for Talking About Diets

Cut down on

Reduce consumption.

• You should cut down on sugary snacks if you want to feel more energetic.
• Mark decided to cut down on coffee and start drinking herbal tea.

Give up

Stop consuming something completely.

• I gave up chocolate for a month — and surprisingly, I survived!
• Sugar can be addictive, which is why it’s so hard to give it up.

Good source of / rich in / packed with

Used to describe foods full of nutrients.

• Chia seeds are an invaluable source of magnesium.
• Fresh vegetables are rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
• These blueberries are packed with nutrients and low in calories.

High/low in

Describes nutrient or calorie content.

• Whole-grain bread is high in fibre.
• Most vegetables are low in fat and calories.

Watch your weight

Try not to gain weight.

• I’m trying to watch my weight, so I stopped eating late at night.

Eat in moderation

Not too much, not too little — just the right amount.

• If you want to lose weight, try exercising and eating in moderation.
• My doctor advised me to eat in moderation because of my health issues.

6. Discussion Questions

You can add these at the end of the post (good for SEO and engagement):

• Do you follow any special diet?
• What is one unhealthy food you find hard to give up?
• Do you think superfoods are worth the hype?
• How do you feel after eating a balanced meal?

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