Sugar alcohols, sometimes called polyols, are a class of carbohydrates that are more slowly or incompletely absorbed by the human digestive system than sugars. Common sugar alcohols include sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, and xylitol. Sugar alcohols contribute less Calories to the diet than most other types of carbohydrates, but may cause digestive discomfort.

Composed of one unit (a monosaccharide, such as glucose or fructose) or two joined units (a disaccharide, such as lactose or sucrose). Sugars include those occurring naturally in foods and beverages, those added to foods and beverages during processing and preparation, and those consumed separately. (See?Added sugars.)

One of many common food additives, these sulfur based preservatives prevent discoloration and black spots in food like baked goods, beer, canned fruits and vegetables, condiments, dried fruit, jams, molasses, pickled foods, potato chips, shrimp, frozen soup mixes, tea, trail mix, vegetable juice, and wine. Sulfites can destroy food?s vitamin B1 and cause sensitivities, allergic reactions, and headaches. If you may have sensitivities, avoid foods with labels listing sulfur dioxide, potassium bisulfite, potassium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, and sodium metabisulfite, opting instead for sulfite-free, or unsulfured versions.

In 2003, California-based physician Steven Pratt, M.D. popularized the term "superfood" with his diet based on 14 foods with the most proven health benefits and least negative properties, like sodium and saturated fats. Though there are no set standards or legal definitions for the term, the list of phytonutrient powerhouses is growing, including citrus, dark green vegetables, olive oil, olives, tomatoes, blueberries, pomegranate, cranberries, acai, green tea, shiitake mushrooms, flaxseed, whole grains, pumpkin, yogurt, soy, walnuts, and garlic. Proven health benefits of superfoods include protecting against heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and cancer.

Some vitamins in nutritional supplements, such as D3, are not suitable for vegans as they are derived from animal sources.

Farmers can reduce long-term negative affects of their practices by following an integrated plant and animal production system that satisfies human needs, enhancing environmental and societal quality and efficiently using resources, according to the?USDA. However, the USDA does not regulate the term at this time. Because organic farming prohibits toxic and synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, organic practices are better for the environment and generally more sustainable than conventional.

Fish, that have been caught or farmed sustainably, include Pacific halibut, Dungeness crab, farmed mussels, and wild-caught Alaskan salmon. Steer clear of Chilean sea bass, farmed Atlantic salmon, sharks, imported farmed or wild-caught shrimp, imported swordfish, red snapper, and imported bluefin tuna, many of which are not only endangered but also predators filled mercury and other contaminants. For a complete, up-to-date list go to Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch list and look for the Marine Stewardship Council's seal on seafood products.

Probiotics are delivered with a prebiotic-fibre feed stock to enhance effects, including improving gut function, promoting resistance to gastrointestinal infections, soothing irritable bowel syndrome, and reducing the risk of some chronic gut disorders. Synbiotics can take the form of everything from dairy to baked goods.

An animal fat made from suet. Often used in soaps and candles.

A replacement for meat, made from fermented soybeans

Derived from soy flour, TVP is commonly used in vegetarian restaurants as a substitute for ground beef

Theobromine is an alkaloid compound with a molecular structure similar to caffeine. Theobromine has a mild stimulating effect on humans, and is found in certain foods, such as cocoa and chocolate. Theobromine can be lethal to some animals, including dogs and horses, which metabolize theobromine much more slowly than humans.

See Essential Amino Acids.

See?Vitamin B1.

The U.S. government-endorsed diet was created by the National Institutes of Health's National Cholesterol Education Program. It stands for Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes, and it's also been endorsed by the American Heart Association as a heart-healthy regimen to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. In short: Cut back on fat, particularly saturated fat (fatty meat, whole-dairy milk, and fried foods), and eat more fiber. It was developed more to control cholesterol than for weight loss, and the only resource is?this online manual, but the advice is certainly sound.