Nutrition and health wiki
Plain-language, cited definitions of 23 nutrition and health terms — protein, fibre, glycemic index, BMI, REM sleep, VO2 max and more.
A jargon-free reference
Nutrition labels and health articles are full of terms that are rarely explained: glycemic index, macronutrient, basal metabolic rate, VO2 max. This glossary defines each one in plain language, with the practical takeaway rather than the textbook wording, and points you to the food data behind it.
Each article is short, cited and self-contained. Browse by term below.
Concepts
Glycemic index
A 0–100 ranking of how fast a carbohydrate food raises blood glucose.
Calorie
A unit of food energy; the "calorie" on labels is really a kilocalorie.
Macronutrient
The three nutrients the body needs in large amounts: protein, carbohydrate and fat.
Micronutrient
Vitamins and minerals the body needs in tiny amounts to function.
Cholesterol
A waxy blood lipid; the LDL/HDL balance matters more than the total.
Added sugar
Sugars put into food and drink, best limited to a small share of energy.
Hydration
Keeping enough body water; thirst and urine colour are good everyday guides.
Antioxidant
Compounds that neutralise reactive molecules; best obtained from whole foods.
Intermittent fasting
Eating within set time windows rather than changing what you eat.
Probiotic
Live "good" bacteria in fermented foods and some supplements.
Fats
Saturated fat
A fat type, solid at room temperature, best kept to a modest share of energy.
Unsaturated fat
Fats, usually liquid at room temperature, linked to better heart health.
Fitness
Macronutrients
Protein
A macronutrient built from amino acids that repairs and builds tissue.
Carbohydrate
The body's main quick energy source, from sugars, starches and fibre.
Fibre
Indigestible plant carbohydrate that aids digestion and steadies blood sugar.
Measures
Body mass index (BMI)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared; a rough screening tool.
Body-fat percentage
The share of your weight that is fat — a better body-composition measure than BMI.
Basal metabolic rate (BMR)
The energy your body burns at complete rest just to stay alive.
Resting heart rate
Beats per minute at rest; a lower rate often signals better fitness.
Minerals
Sodium
The mineral in salt; most people eat more than the recommended limit.
Electrolyte
Minerals like sodium and potassium that carry the body's electrical signals.
Sleep
Source: Definitions summarise standard nutrition and physiology references in plain language. · checked 2026-09-04
Frequently asked questions
Is this a substitute for medical advice?
No. These are plain-language explanations of common terms for general understanding. Anything about your own health or treatment should be discussed with a qualified clinician.
Where do the definitions come from?
Each article summarises standard, widely accepted references in its own words and names the kind of source at the foot of the page. Nothing here reproduces another site's text.
Put the words to work
TempoLife applies these ideas to your own food and days — calories, macros, fibre and more, tracked automatically.