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.

Also known as tofu. Pressed soya milk curds, used widely in vegan and Asian cooking. Can be fresh or long life. Also available in a smooth silken form for blending.

Milky liquid obtained from soya beans, used as an alternative to dairy milks. Sold in long-life or refrigerated cartons, from health food stores or large supermarkets. May be sweetened or unsweetened, sometimes flavoured with vanilla, and sometimes fortified with calcium and other nutrients.

A legume, which is an excellent, inexpensive vegan source of protein and iron. Soybeans are used to make a number of vegetarian and vegan substitutions for meat, dairy and eggs.

Many glucose units linked together into long chains. Examples of foods containing starch include vegetables (e.g., potatoes, carrots), grains (e.g., brown rice, oats, wheat, barley, corn), and legumes (beans and peas; e.g., kidney beans, garbanzo beans, lentils, split peas).

A sterol is any of a class of solid cyclic alcohols, found in both plants (e.g., campesterol, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol) and animals (e.g., cholesterol).

The calorie-free, carb-free, low-glycemic?sugar alternative?that comes from the South American stevia plant doesn?t spike blood sugar, making it safe for diabetics. Find it as a powder or liquid in the dietary supplements aisle. The FDA also recently approved it as a food additive, but you may still need to look for it in the supplements section of your natural products store.

See Sterol.

Animal suet is made from the hard fat found around the kidneys of sheep and cattle. Vegetable suet is widely available as an alternative.