Nutrition Glossary

   

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Macronutrient

Carbohydrate, fat, protein and alcohol are called macronutrients. Macronutrients supply the body with energy. We need macronutrients (with the exception of alcohol) in larger amounts than vitamins and minerals which are called micronutrients.

Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide (long chain of sugars) produced from corn or wheat starch that is used as a food additive in many commercial foods including confectionery, snacks and desserts.

Micronutrient

Micronutrients are essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals that are required by our body in small quantities. Micronutrients are needed to help maintain proper health and functioning of the body.

Minerals

Minerals are compounds that occur in rocks and metal ores. Plants absorb minerals through the soil, and animals get these minerals by eating the plants or by eating other animals. Some of the major minerals required by the body include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulphur, potassium, chloride and sodium. Trace elements are minerals needed by the body in smaller amounts such as iron, zinc, iodine, selenium, copper, manganese, fluoride, chromium, molybdenum.

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Monosodium glutamate occurs naturally in some foods like mature cheeses, tomatoes, mushrooms and soy sauce. MSG also functions as a flavour enhancer and is sometimes added to savoury products like soups, sauces and stocks. It is displayed in the ingredient list as “flavour enhancer (monosodium glutamate)” or “flavour enhancer (621)”.

Monounsaturated Fat

Monounsaturated fats are the ‘good fats’ and are found in avocados, nuts such as peanuts, almonds, cashews, macadamias and oils such as olive and canola.