Diet and Nutrition Vocabulary in English

Diet and Nutrition Vocabulary in English: Words, Phrases and Exercises

Hello, dear English learners! Food, diet and nutrition are common topics in everyday conversations, news reports, health discussions and Cambridge exam tasks. However, discussing these subjects well requires more precise language than simply saying that something is healthy, unhealthy or good for you. Learning diet and nutrition vocabulary in English will help you describe eating habits, compare different diets and discuss public-health issues more accurately. In this lesson, you will learn essential words, collocations and expressions with clear meanings and natural examples. You can also complete the practice activities and download a printable worksheet.

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What Does Diet Mean?

The word diet does not only refer to a temporary eating plan for losing weight. It can also mean the food and drink that a person, group or animal regularly consumes.

Her diet consists mainly of vegetables, pulses and wholegrains.

The doctor advised him to follow a low-salt diet.

She went on a diet before her holiday.

Notice the difference:

• Your diet is what you normally eat and drink.
• Go on a diet means begin a particular eating plan, often to lose weight.
• Follow a diet means eat according to a set of rules or recommendations.

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Macronutrients

Macronutrients are nutrients that the body needs in relatively large amounts. They provide energy and support growth, tissue repair and other bodily functions.

Carbohydrates	nutrients found in foods such as bread, rice, pasta, potatoes and fruit that provide energy	Wholegrain bread is a source of complex carbohydrates.
Protein	a nutrient needed for growth, muscle maintenance and tissue repair	Beans, eggs, fish and meat are common sources of protein.
Fats	nutrients that provide energy, support cell function and help the body absorb certain vitamins	Nuts and olive oil contain unsaturated fats.
Fibre	the part of plant-based food that supports digestion	Vegetables, pulses and wholegrains are high in fibre.

Different Types of Fat

Not all fats are the same.

• Unsaturated fats are found in foods such as olive oil, nuts, seeds and avocados.
• Saturated fats are found in foods such as butter, fatty meat and some processed products.
• Trans fats are found in certain highly processed foods.

It is more accurate to say that some fats are healthier choices than others rather than describing all fat as unhealthy.

 

Micronutrients

Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals that the body needs in smaller quantities.

Word	Meaning	Example
Vitamins	organic substances needed in small amounts for normal growth and health	Fruit and vegetables provide a wide range of vitamins.
Minerals	natural substances such as iron, calcium and magnesium that the body needs to function	Calcium is important for maintaining healthy bones and teeth.
Iron	a mineral involved in producing healthy red blood cells	A lack of iron may cause tiredness and weakness.
Calcium	a mineral that supports bones, teeth, muscles and nerves	Dairy products are a common source of calcium.
Antioxidants	substances that help protect the body’s cells from damage	Berries contain several naturally occurring antioxidants.

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Essential Diet and Nutrition Vocabulary in English

The following expressions frequently appear in discussions about food, health and lifestyle.

Expression	Meaning	Example
A balanced diet	a diet containing a suitable variety of foods in appropriate proportions	A balanced diet should include fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and sources of protein.
Nutrients	substances in food that the body needs for energy, growth and health	Fresh vegetables contain a wide range of essential nutrients.
Calories	units used to measure the energy provided by food and drink	Athletes may require more calories because of their training schedules.
Calorie intake	the total number of calories a person consumes	A person’s calorie intake depends on factors such as age and activity level.
Macronutrients	nutrients needed in relatively large amounts	Carbohydrates, protein and fats are macronutrients.
Micronutrients	vitamins and minerals needed in small amounts	A varied diet can provide many essential micronutrients.
Metabolism	the chemical processes through which the body converts food into energy	Age, activity and other factors can influence metabolism.
Nutrient-dense	containing many useful nutrients in relation to the number of calories	Spinach is a nutrient-dense food.
Empty calories	calories from food or drink that provide little nutritional value	Sugary drinks may contain a large number of empty calories.
Nutritional value	the amount and quality of nutrients contained in food	Fresh produce generally has a high nutritional value.
Portion size	the amount of food served or eaten at one time	Restaurant portion sizes are often larger than people expect.
Nutritional needs	the nutrients and energy a person requires	Children and adults have different nutritional needs.

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Types of Food

Processed foods

Meaning: foods that have been changed from their original state through cooking, freezing, preserving or the addition of other ingredients

• Many everyday foods are processed in some way.
• Some processed foods can form part of a balanced diet.

Highly processed foods

Meaning: foods that have been significantly altered and often contain added salt, sugar, fat, flavourings or other additives

• Some highly processed foods contain large amounts of salt and sugar.
• He is trying to reduce his consumption of highly processed snacks.

It is better to distinguish between processed foods and highly processed foods, as not all food processing makes a product unhealthy.

Whole foods

Meaning: foods that are unprocessed or only minimally processed

• Her meals contain plenty of whole foods, including vegetables, pulses, nuts and fruit.
• Many people are trying to include more whole foods in their diet.

Organic food

Meaning: food produced according to organic farming standards, with restrictions on certain pesticides, fertilisers and genetically modified ingredients

• Many consumers are willing to pay more for organic produce.
• Organic farming methods vary according to national regulations.

Additives

Meaning: substances added to food to affect its taste, appearance, texture or shelf life

• Some shoppers check labels carefully for artificial additives.
• Food additives are listed on the packaging.

Preservatives

Meaning: substances used to prevent food from spoiling quickly

• Preservatives can extend the shelf life of certain foods.
• This product contains no artificial preservatives.

 

Special Diets and Eating Patterns

People may follow a special diet for medical, ethical, religious or personal reasons.

Word or expression	Meaning	Example
Vegetarian	a person who does not eat meat or fish; also used to describe this kind of food or diet	The restaurant offers several vegetarian dishes.
Vegan	a person who avoids animal products; also used to describe food containing no animal-derived ingredients	She follows a vegan diet and avoids dairy products and eggs.
Pescatarian	a person who does not eat meat or poultry but does eat fish	A pescatarian diet may include fish, vegetables, grains and pulses.
Plant-based diet	a diet consisting mainly or entirely of food derived from plants	Plant-based diets have become increasingly popular.
Gluten-free	not containing gluten	People with coeliac disease need to follow a strict gluten-free diet.
Dairy-free	not containing milk or milk-based products	The café offers several dairy-free alternatives.
Low-carb diet	a diet that limits carbohydrate consumption	Some people follow a low-carb diet for personal or medical reasons.
Low-calorie diet	a diet that restricts calorie intake	A low-calorie diet should still provide sufficient nutrients.
Intermittent fasting	an eating pattern involving planned periods of eating and fasting	Intermittent fasting is not suitable for everyone.
Restrictive diet	a diet that limits or excludes many foods	An extremely restrictive diet may be difficult to maintain.

Food Allergies and Intolerances

Food allergy

Meaning: an immune-system reaction to a particular food

• People with a severe nut allergy must check food labels carefully.
• The restaurant asks customers to report any food allergies.

Food intolerance

Meaning: difficulty digesting or reacting negatively to a particular food without an allergic immune response

• Food intolerances can cause digestive discomfort.
• She suspects that she has a food intolerance.

Lactose intolerance

Meaning: difficulty digesting lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products

• People with lactose intolerance may choose lactose-free milk.
• Many cafés now offer plant-based milk alternatives.

Coeliac disease

Meaning: a medical condition in which consuming gluten damages the small intestine

• People with coeliac disease must avoid gluten.
• Coeliac disease is not the same as a food preference.

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Eating Habits and Weight Management

Expression	Meaning	Example
Eating habits	regular patterns and behaviours connected with eating	Busy lifestyles can lead to irregular eating habits.
Food diary	a written record of what a person eats and drinks	She kept a food diary for two weeks.
Weight management	maintaining, losing or gaining weight in a planned way	A balanced approach to weight management is usually easier to maintain.
Emotional eating	eating in response to emotions rather than physical hunger	Stress can sometimes lead to emotional eating.
Comfort eating	eating enjoyable food to feel better emotionally	He tends to turn to comfort eating when he is anxious.
Overeating	eating more food than the body needs	Large portions can encourage overeating.
Undereating	eating too little to meet the body’s needs	Long-term undereating may lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Mindful eating	paying close attention to hunger, food and the experience of eating	Mindful eating encourages people to eat more slowly.
Food craving	a strong desire for a particular food	She often experiences food cravings in the evening.
Appetite	the desire to eat	Exercise can sometimes increase your appetite.

Useful Diet and Nutrition Collocations

Learning complete collocations will make your English sound more natural.

Collocation	Meaning	Example
Follow a balanced diet	regularly eat a suitable range of foods	She tries to follow a balanced diet throughout the week.
Maintain a healthy weight	keep your weight within a range suitable for your health	Regular activity can help people maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce your calorie intake	consume fewer calories	Some people reduce their calorie intake gradually.
Increase your fibre intake	consume more fibre	Eating more pulses can increase your fibre intake.
Cut down on sugar	reduce the amount of sugar you consume	He has cut down on sugar in tea and coffee.
Reduce your salt intake	consume less salt	The doctor advised her to reduce her salt intake.
Meet your nutritional needs	obtain the nutrients your body requires	A varied diet can help you meet your nutritional needs.
Develop healthy eating habits	establish regular, beneficial eating patterns	Schools can help children develop healthy eating habits.
Watch your diet	pay careful attention to what you eat	He has started watching his diet more carefully.
Control your portions	limit the amount of food eaten at one time	Using a smaller plate may help some people control their portions.
Count calories	record or calculate the number of calories consumed	She stopped counting calories and focused on food quality instead.
Stick to a diet	continue following a particular eating plan	He found it difficult to stick to the diet while travelling.
Go on a diet	begin following an eating plan, often to lose weight	She went on a diet before the summer.
Crash diet	follow a very restrictive short-term diet	Crash diets are often difficult to maintain.

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Describing the Nutritional Content of Food

The following expressions are useful when discussing what food contains.

High in

• Oats are high in fibre.
• Some processed foods are high in salt.

Low in

• Most vegetables are naturally low in fat.
• This yoghurt is low in added sugar.

Rich in

• Leafy green vegetables are rich in several vitamins and minerals.
• Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

A good source of

Eggs are a good source of protein.

Oranges are a good source of vitamin C.

Packed with

• This salad is packed with fresh vegetables.
• Berries are packed with naturally occurring nutrients.

Free from

• This product is free from artificial colours.
• The bakery sells bread that is free from gluten.

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Useful Verbs for Talking about Diet and Nutrition

Consume

Meaning: eat or drink something

• Adults should consume a varied range of foods.

Absorb

Meaning: take nutrients into the body

• Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium.

Digest

Meaning: break food down in the body

• Some people find fatty foods difficult to digest.

Nourish

Meaning: provide the substances needed for health and growth

• A varied diet helps nourish the body.

Restrict

Meaning: limit the amount of something

• Some diets severely restrict carbohydrate intake.

Supplement

Meaning: add something extra to make up for what is missing

• Some people supplement their diet with vitamin tablets.

Overeat

Meaning: eat more than you need

• People may overeat when they are tired or stressed.

Skip

Meaning: deliberately not have a meal

• She often skips breakfast when she is in a hurry.

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Dietary Supplements

Dietary supplements are products taken to add nutrients or other substances to a person’s diet. They may contain vitamins, minerals or herbal ingredients.

• Paul consulted his doctor before taking dietary supplements.
• Some people take vitamin supplements during particular periods.
• A supplement should not be confused with a replacement for a varied diet.

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Nutrition and Health

Word	Meaning	Example
Deficiency	a lack of an essential nutrient	Iron deficiency may lead to anaemia.
Malnutrition	poor health caused by insufficient or unbalanced nutrition	Malnutrition can result from both a lack of food and an unbalanced diet.
Dehydration	a condition caused by losing more fluid than the body takes in	Drinking enough water helps prevent dehydration.
Obesity	a medical condition involving an excessive accumulation of body fat that may affect health	Childhood obesity is a major public-health concern.
Digestion	the process through which food is broken down in the body	Fibre plays an important role in digestion.
Gut health	the condition and functioning of the digestive system	Diet can influence gut health.
Immune system	the body’s natural defence system	Several nutrients support the normal function of the immune system.

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Commonly Confused Words

Diet and nutrition

Diet refers to the food and drink that a person regularly consumes.

• Her diet contains plenty of fresh vegetables.

Nutrition refers to the process of obtaining and using nutrients.

• Good nutrition is particularly important during childhood.

Healthy food and health food

Healthy food means food considered beneficial as part of a balanced diet.

• We prepared a healthy meal at home.

Health food usually refers to food promoted or sold for its supposed health benefits.

• The town has several specialist health-food shops.

Calorie and nutrient

A calorie is a unit used to measure energy.

A nutrient is a substance that the body needs to function.

Food allergy and food intolerance

A food allergy involves the immune system.

A food intolerance usually involves difficulty digesting or reacting to a food.

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Why This Vocabulary Matters for Cambridge Exams

Diet and health are common subjects in B2 First and C1 Advanced tasks. You may be asked to discuss:

• healthy lifestyles
• school meals
• obesity and public health
• modern eating habits
• processed food
• advertising and food choices
• vegetarian and plant-based diets
• government health campaigns

Using precise diet and nutrition vocabulary in English can help you:

• express ideas more clearly
• avoid repeating basic words
• demonstrate a wider lexical range
• develop arguments in essays and reports
• speak more confidently during discussion tasks

Instead of writing:

• People should eat better food.

You could write:

• People should be encouraged to follow a balanced diet, reduce their consumption of highly processed foods and develop healthier eating habits.

Would you like more practice? Download the free Diet and Nutrition Vocabulary in English worksheet, which includes vocabulary matching, collocations, word formation, error correction, Cambridge-style transformations, reading, speaking and writing tasks. 👇

Download Diet and Nutrition Vocabulary Practice Worksheet in PDF here

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Final Thoughts

Learning diet and nutrition vocabulary in English will help you discuss food, health and lifestyle in a more accurate and informed way. These words and expressions are particularly useful for Cambridge exam essays, reports, articles and Speaking tasks.

Try to learn complete combinations rather than isolated words. For example, learn:

• follow a balanced diet
• reduce your salt intake
• meet your nutritional needs
• high in fibre
• rich in vitamins
• maintain a healthy weight

The more often you use this diet and nutrition vocabulary in English, the more naturally it will become part of your active vocabulary.

Related posts:

• Talking about Healthy Eating in English 
• 13 Phrasal Verbs Related to Dieting 
• Vocabulary for Modern Food Trends 
• 30 Collocations Related to Health 
• B2 First Vocabulary 

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