13 Phrasal Verbs Related to Dieting

13 Phrasal Verbs Related to Dieting

Hello English learners! Welcome back. Today, we’re looking at 13 phrasal verbs related to dieting and healthy living. These are essential for natural conversation and frequently appear in the Cambridge B2 First and C1 Advanced exams.

Bulk up

Meaning: to gain muscle mass and increase body size, typically through a combination of strength training and a high-calorie, protein-rich diet. It refers to the process of eating more and exercising to build muscle rather than losing weight.

• Jake increased his calorie intake to bulk up and gain muscle mass.
• He bulked up by incorporating more protein shakes into his diet.

Phrasal verbs related to dieting

Burn off

Meaning: to use up energy or calories through physical activity or exercise. In the context of dieting, it refers to the process of expanding the calories you have consumed, often with the goal of weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight.

• Sandra usually exercises in the evening to burn off the extra calories.
• Jane joined a fitness class to help burn off the weight she gained during Christmas.

Cut back on

Meaning: to reduce the amount of food intake. In the context of dieting, it refers to decreasing the consumption of certain foods or ingredients to improve health or achieve specific dietary goals.

• Paul and his wife cut back on eating out and started cooking healthy meals at home.
• Jill cut back on chocolate and opted for healthier snacks instead.

Cut down on

Meaning: to intentionally reduce the amount or quantity of something, often for health or practical reasons.

• She decided to cut down on sugar to improve her health and try to eat healthier.
• George needs to cut down on portion sizes to help with his weight-loss goals.

Cut out

Meaning: to completely eliminate something from your diet. It often refers to removing specific foods or ingredients that are considered unhealthy or that you want to avoid for personal or health reasons.

• Cutting out sugary drinks made a big difference in his energy levels.
• John cut out processed foods from his diet and started eating more whole foods.

Eat out

Meaning: to eat at a restaurant or any place outside of your home. Dieting often involves making mindful choices to maintain a healthy diet while enjoying meals at restaurants or cafes.

• They try not to eat out too often to stay on track with their diet.
• I always go for healthy dishes when eating out.

Eat up

Meaning: to eat all the food on your plate. In the context of dieting, it can refer to making sure you consume all the healthy food you have prepared, or it can be used to encourage someone to eat everything, especially if the food is nutritious.

• They prepared a healthy meal and made sure to eat up every bite.
• Colin reminded himself to eat up the healthy snacks he packed for work.

Fill up on

Meaning: to eat enough of a particular type of food to feel full or satisfied. It is often used to suggest eating healthier or more filling foods to avoid overeating less nutritious options.

• Try to fill up on proper food before having dessert.
• Laura usually fills up on a hearty breakfast to stay energised throughout the day.

Load up on

Meaning: to eat a large amount of a particular type of food, often to ensure you get enough nutrients or to feel full. It usually means consuming more of healthy foods to support your dietary goals.

• Violet decided to load up on vegetables to increase her fibre intake.
• Brad always loads up on leafy greens to ensure he gets enough vitamins and minerals.

Phrasal verbs related to dieting

Pig out

Meaning: to eat a large amount of food, often in a way that is considered excessive or indulgent. In the context of dieting, it refers to consuming more food than usual, typically unhealthy or junk food, in a single sitting or over a short period.

• They decided to pig out on pizza and ice cream during their cheat day.
• Simon tends to pig out on snacks when he’s under stress.

Slim down

Meaning: to lose weight and reduce body fat, often through a combination of diet and exercise. It refers to making lifestyle changes to achieve a leaner and healthier body.

• Jessica decided to slim down by following a balanced diet and regular exercise routine.
• Julia is working hard to slim down before her holiday.

Snack on

Meaning: to eat small amounts of food between meals. It often refers to choosing healthier options for these small meals to maintain energy levels and avoid overeating during main meals.

• Holly likes to snack on fruits and nuts to stay energised throughout the day.
• Ted decided to snack on vegetables instead of chips to support his weight loss goals.

Work out

Meaning: refers to incorporating regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle in order to support weight loss, muscle gain, or overall well-being.

• She works out at the gym three times a week to stay fit and healthy.
• He started working out regularly as part of his diet plan.

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