SAMe, a natural metabolite of the amino acid methionine, plays a key role in dozens of chemical reactions in the body.

Satiety refers to the feeling of satisfaction or fullness produced by the consumption of food.

This type of fat is solid at room temperature. Saturated fat is found in full-fat dairy products (like butter, cheese, cream, regular ice cream, and whole milk), coconut oil, lard, palm oil, ready-to-eat meats, and the skin and fat of chicken and turkey, among other foods. Saturated fats have the same number of calories as other types of fat, and may contribute to weight gain if eaten in excess. Eating a diet high in saturated fat also raises blood cholesterol and risk of heart disease.

While some salts, like the traditional table variety, can contain iodine and other additives, unrefined sea salt is additive free and contains more micro-nutrients and trace minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Made from evaporated seawater, sea salt has a grainy texture and pure taste.

Any waking activity predominantly done while in a sitting or reclining posture. A behavior that expends energy at or minimally above a person?s resting level (between 1.0 and 1.5 metabolic equivalents) is considered sedentary behavior.

A vegetarian replacement for meat, made of protein (gluten) extracted from flour

Selenium is an essential trace mineral. Selenium activates an antioxidant enzyme called glutathione peroxidase, which may help protect the body from cancer. Yeast-derived forms of selenium have induced apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells in test tubes and in animals. One study found that men consuming the most dietary selenium developed 65% fewer cases of advanced prostate cancer than did men with low levels of selenium intake.

A standard amount of a food, such as a cup or an ounce.

Begun in Italy as a countermovement to fast food, the "Slow Food Movement" believes in rekindling interest in fresh foods, farmers, community, and food culture and raises awareness about how what we eat affects us and our world. Be a slow foodie?by developing personal food-based traditions, savoring the meals you prepare, eating locally grown and produced foods, and participating in your local food community. To get in touch with Slow Food in your area, go to www.slowfoodusa.org 

Sodium is a mineral, an essential nutrient. It helps to maintain blood volume, regulate the balance of water in the cells, and keep nerves functioning. The kidneys control sodium balance by increasing or decreasing sodium in the urine. One teaspoon of salt contains about 2,300 milligrams of sodium, more than four times the amount the body requires per day.

Most Americans consume far more sodium than their bodies need. Many foods contain sodium naturally, and it is commonly added to foods during preparation or processing or as a flavoring agent. Sodium is also found in drinking water, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter medications.

In the United States, about one in four adults have elevated blood pressure. Sodium intake is only one of the factors known to affect high blood pressure, and not everyone is equally susceptible. The sensitivity to sodium seems to be very individualized. Usually, the older one is, the more sensitive one is to salt.

These types of fats are usually not liquid at room temperature. Solid fats are found in most animal foods but also can be made from vegetable oils through hydrogenation. Some common solid fats in our diet include beef fat, butter, chicken fat, coconut oil, palm oil, pork fat (lard), shortening, and stick margarine. Foods high in solid fats include full-fat (regular) cheese, cream, ice cream, and whole milk; bacon, poultry skin, regular ground beef, sausages, and well-marbled cuts of meats; and many baked goods (such as cookies, crackers, croissants, donuts, and pastries).

Soluble fiber has been shown to lower cholesterol. However, in many studies, the degree of cholesterol reduction was quite modest. For unknown reasons, diets higher in insoluble fiber (mostly unrelated to cholesterol levels) have been shown to correlate better with protection against heart disease in human trials. Soluble fibers can also lower blood-sugar levels, and some doctors believe that increasing fiber decreases the body?s need for insulin?a good sign for diabetics.

See Sugar Alcohol.

A cheese-like product made from soybeans. Soy cheeses come in most of the same varieties as dairy cheeses, such as parmesan, mozzarella and cheddar. However, some soy cheeses are not vegan as they contain the animal protein casein.

The protein found in soybeans including miso (soybean paste) and soy products, such as soy milk, soy yoghurt, soy sauce, tempeh (which is like a soy cake made from soybeans) and tofu. Soy can also be added to foods, such as breads, cereals and meat products, or used as a meat substitute in vegetarian and vegan products such as soy burgers. Foods that contain whole soy are good sources of protein for those people who do not eat animal products as they provide all the amino acids required by the body to stay healthy. Including soy protein in a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.