Have you ever wandered through the aisles of your local supermarket and wondered what all those labels actually mean?  What’s the difference between probiotic and prebiotic?  Is there really something special about grass-fed beef?  And are those foods with the “keto” or “gluten-free” label actually better for you?  With so many buzzwords floating around, it’s hard to keep it all straight.  Let’s take a look at 21 of today’s most popular nutritional terms to help you make the best choices for you on your next trip to the grocery store.

1. Antioxidants

Antioxidants are compounds that prevent or delay cell damage in the body and research suggests that consuming antioxidant-rich foods may help prevent disease.  The most common sources of antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and carotenoids such as beta-carotene.  Fruits and vegetables are a great source of antioxidants.

2. Clean Eating

Clean eating is a dietary style that focuses on eating whole foods (see #21) and limiting your intake of processed foods to optimize your health.

3. Collagen

Collagen is a protein with a fiber-like structure that is used to make and repair connective tissue in the body.  Collagen helps to make muscle tissue strong and resilient, decreasing the risk of injury.  However, your body makes less collagen as you age.  While collagen supplements have been shown to help promote joint and skin health, research is ongoing to understand their full effectiveness.

4. Detox

Dietary detoxes (or cleanses) claim to remove toxins from the body by eliminating certain foods by fasting or taking some form of a supplement for a period of time.  While there are many claims when it comes to detoxes, there is no conclusive medical evidence that these methods work as promised.  Plus, you’ve already got a built-in detox system in your body –– your liver, kidneys, skin, and digestive tract are hard at work eliminating waste and toxins from your body. 

7. Grass-Fed Beef

Grass-fed beef refers to animals that have exclusively foraged or been fed a diet of grass for their entire lives.  Products from these animals, including meat and dairy, are higher in vitamins, minerals, and Omega 3s than those from grain-fed animals.

8. IIFYM

IIFYM stands for “If It Fits Your Macros” (jump down to #10 for more information on macros) –– it’s a way of eating that says as long as a food fits into your set macronutrient numbers for the day, you can basically eat whatever you want.  The basic premise of this idea is a good one, especially if it helps you to find balance and fight some of the negative feelings that come with a restrictive mindset.  But just because you can fit donuts, cookies, and candy into your macros, that still doesn't make them the healthiest choice or the best way to reach your goals.

9. Keto

The Ketogenic Diet –– or Keto –– is the newest in a long line of low-carb diets, which involves eating very few carbohydrates (typically fewer than 50 grams per day) and lots of fat.  The idea is that this allows the body to enter a state of ketosis where it’s using fat and amino acids as the primary energy source, instead of carbohydrates.

10. Macros

Three macronutrients (or macros) make up what we eat –– protein, carbohydrates, and fat.  Macro-focused diets involve eating a certain number of these each day, based on your body composition and fitness goals.  You can learn more about macros and how to make them work for you by checking out Nutrithority’s free Excellence Academy courses –– they’re a great resource to get you going and start seeing results!

 13. Omega 3s

Omega 3s are fatty acids that include docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids (found in marine oils) and alpha-linolenic acid (found in plant oils).  These compounds play an important role in both brain and metabolic function.

14. Organic

Organic foods are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and do not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs).  In the United States, organic stands are outlined and regulated by the Department of Agriculture.

15. Paleo

The Paleo Diet is based on the idea of eating like primitive hunter-gatherers –– it includes eating meat, seafood, fruits, vegetables and nuts, and excludes beans, grains, and dairy.

16. Prebiotics

Prebiotics are foods that promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria.  They can be found in many foods and supplements, including bananas, garlic, honey, and asparagus.  

17. Probiotics

Probiotics are the healthy bacteria and live cultures that live in your gut, and they play a huge role in digestion and immune health.  Yogurt and kefir are great sources, as well as fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi.  You can also increase your healthy gut bacteria with a high-quality probiotic and superfood supplement, like Greens Factor by Nutrithority.

20. Vegan

Vegan is a term that refers to a diet free of any food derived from animals, including meat and dairy products.  Many people who adopt a vegan lifestyle also avoid using any type of product derived from animals, including leather goods.

21.Whole Foods

Whole foods are foods that have not been processed or refined and do not contain any added ingredients.  Whole food sources include meat, fish, eggs, nuts, legumes, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

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