This diet, developed by one of the country's leading medical groups, is focused on breaking bad habits and picking up good ones. For the first two weeks, the Mayo Clinic Diet book instructs you to focus on the 15 key habits that are outlined by the authors. These habits direct you to restrict certain foods, but allow unlimited snacking on fruits and vegetables. After two weeks, you shift your focus to calorie-counting, learning exercises, and nothing is off-limits. The idea is that during this time you're supposed to develop a pattern of healthy eating consisting of fruits, vegetables, lean meat, high-fiber whole grains, and low-fat dairy. Alcohol is somewhat restricted, and exercise is part of the plan. The book costs about $20.

The inhabitants around the Mediterranean Sea are vaunted for their long life spans and low rates of cancer and cardiovascular ailments. Their diet tends to be low in red meat, sugar, and saturated fat. Instead, they eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, olive oil, and flavorful herbs and spices. Seafood is preferred over other types of meat, and a moderate enjoyment of eggs, cheese, and yogurt is encouraged. Sweets and red meat are reserved for special occasions, but red wine and exercise are daily components.

See Vitamin K.

The process that occurs in the body to turn the food you eat into energy your body can use.

See Essential Amino Acids.

Japanese cooking ingredient made by the fermentation of rice, barley or soya beans (or a mixture). Typically used in miso soups or ramen noodle dishes, but can be used more widely to enrich stocks or gravies.

Savory food items eaten as a single entity that include foods from more than one food group. These foods often are mixtures of grains, protein foods, vegetables, and/or dairy. Examples of mixed dishes include burgers, sandwiches, tacos, burritos, pizzas, macaroni and cheese, stir-fries, spaghetti and meatballs, casseroles, soups, egg rolls, and Caesar salad.

Up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. One drink-equivalent is described using the reference beverages of 12 fl oz of regular beer (5% alcohol), 5 fl oz of wine (12% alcohol), or 1.5 fl oz of 80 proof (40%) distilled spirits. One drink-equivalent is described as containing contains 14 g (0.6 fl oz) of pure alcohol.

On an absolute scale, physical activity that is done at 3.0 to 5.9 times the intensity of rest. On a scale relative to an individual's personal capacity, moderate-intensity physical activity is usually a 5 or 6 on a scale of 0 to 10. See"Measuring Physical Activity" for more.

Monosaccharides are simple carbohydrates that consist of a single sugar molecule. Examples include glucose, fructose, and galactose.

MSG, the sodium salt of glutamic acid (an amino acid), is a form of glutamate, which is naturally present in protein containing foods like cheese, milk, meat, peas, and mushrooms as well as in your body. A fermenting process using starch, sugar beets, sugar cane, or molasses, creates the MSG that is now used to enhance flavors in meat, soup, salad dressing, chips, frozen entrees, and restaurant foods.

The additive may be harmful to nerve cells, contribute to ADHD, and trigger migraines. Other reactions to MSG include nausea, weakness, difficulty breathing, and burning sensations in the back of the neck and forearms. MSG can appear under different names like autolyzed yeast, yeast extract, hydrolyzed plant protein, and hydrolyzed protein.

This type of fat is found in avocados, canola oil, nuts, olives and olive oil, and seeds. Eating food that has more monounsaturated fat (or healthy fat) instead of saturated fat (like butter) may help lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease risk. However, monounsaturated fat has the same number of calories as other types of fat and may contribute to weight gain if you eat too much of it.

A type of physical activity that promotes the growth and strength of muscles. Examples include lifting weights and doing push-ups and sit-ups. Federal guidelines recommend that adults do activities that strengthen muscles at least twice a week.

A carboxylic acid with an 18-carbon chain and three cis double bonds, Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is an?n-3 fatty acid that is essential in the diet because it cannot be synthesized by humans. Primary sources include soybean oil, canola oil, walnuts, and flaxseed. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are very long chain?n-3 fatty acids that are contained in fish and shellfish. Also called omega-3 fatty acids.

A carboxylic acid with an 18-carbon chain and two cis double bonds, Linoleic acid (LA), one of the?n-6 fatty acids, is essential in the diet because it cannot be synthesized by humans. Primary sources are nuts and liquid vegetable oils, including soybean oil, corn oil, and safflower oil. Also called omega-6 fatty acids.