Nutrition & Diet Vocabulary in English
25 essential nutrition and diet vocabulary words in English with definitions and example sentences — ideal for B1–B2 learners discussing food, health, and lifestyle topics in class or in everyday conversation.
Nutrition vocabulary is increasingly important for English learners at B1 and B2 level. Whether you are discussing meal plans, reading food labels in a supermarket, following health advice in English, or writing an essay about public health, you need precise words like protein, carbohydrate, deficiency, and metabolism. This topic also appears regularly in IELTS and B2 First exam reading and writing tasks, where questions about diet, obesity, and food systems are common.
One of the most useful things about nutrition vocabulary is how many words transfer directly across scientific and everyday contexts. Calorie appears on every food packet; sodium is the scientific name for salt; cholesterol is discussed in medical checkups and on breakfast cereal boxes. Antioxidant and macronutrient may look intimidating but they follow clear patterns: anti- means against, macro- means large, micro- means small, and -nutrient means something that nourishes. Recognising these building blocks turns a long list of unfamiliar terms into a logical system.
Many of these words also appear in fixed collocations worth learning as units: a balanced diet, calorie intake, dietary fibre, vitamin D deficiency, high in sodium, raise cholesterol, boost metabolism, stay hydrated. Practising these phrases — not just the individual words — is the most efficient route to using nutrition vocabulary naturally in speaking and writing tasks.
What You'll Learn
- 25 nutrition and diet vocabulary words in English with clear definitions and natural example sentences
- The difference between related terms such as macronutrient vs micronutrient and malnutrition vs deficiency
- Key collocations and phrases used in health writing, food labelling, and everyday conversation
- Which nutrition words appear most often in IELTS and B2 First reading and writing tasks
Essential Nutrition & Diet Words
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| calorie | a unit used to measure the energy that food provides to the body | This snack contains fewer than 100 calories per serving. | B1 |
| protein | a nutrient found in meat, eggs, and beans that the body uses to build and repair tissue | Athletes often need a higher protein intake to support muscle recovery. | B1 |
| carbohydrate | a nutrient found in bread, pasta, and rice that provides the body with energy | Wholegrain carbohydrates release energy more slowly than refined white bread. | B1 |
| fibre | a type of carbohydrate found in plants that the body cannot digest but which aids digestion | Eating enough fibre each day helps to keep the digestive system healthy. | B1 |
| vitamin | a natural substance found in food that the body needs in small amounts to stay healthy | Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, supports the immune system. | B1 |
| mineral | a naturally occurring substance such as iron or calcium that the body needs for various functions | Dairy products are a good source of the mineral calcium, which strengthens bones. | B1 |
| supplement | a product taken in addition to food, usually in tablet or powder form, to add nutrients to the diet | Her doctor recommended a vitamin D supplement during the winter months. | B2 |
| nutrient | a substance in food that living things need to grow, function, and stay healthy | Leafy green vegetables are packed with essential nutrients including iron and folate. | B1 |
| metabolism | the chemical processes in the body that convert food into energy | Regular exercise can help to boost your metabolism over time. | B2 |
| portion | the amount of a food that is served or eaten at one time | Controlling portion sizes is one of the most effective ways to manage weight. | B1 |
| balanced diet | a way of eating that includes appropriate amounts of all the major food groups needed for good health | A balanced diet should include plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. | B1 |
| macronutrient | one of the three main nutrients — protein, fat, and carbohydrate — that the body needs in large amounts | Athletes track their macronutrient ratios carefully to optimise performance. | B2 |
| micronutrient | a vitamin or mineral that the body needs in small amounts but that is essential for health | Micronutrient deficiencies are a significant public health issue in many developing countries. | B2 |
| deficiency | a lack of a particular nutrient in the body, often causing health problems | An iron deficiency can cause fatigue, pale skin, and difficulty concentrating. | B2 |
| obesity | a medical condition in which a person has an excessive amount of body fat, which poses health risks | Rates of childhood obesity have risen sharply over the past two decades. | B2 |
| malnutrition | a condition caused by a diet that lacks enough nutrients, or has the wrong balance of nutrients | Malnutrition affects not only people in food-scarce regions but also those eating very poor-quality diets. | B2 |
| vegan | a person who does not eat or use any animal products, including meat, dairy, and eggs | She has been vegan for three years and gets her protein mainly from legumes and tofu. | B1 |
| vegetarian | a person who does not eat meat or fish but may eat dairy products and eggs | The restaurant offers a wide range of vegetarian dishes that are suitable for non-meat eaters. | B1 |
| gluten | a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye that can cause problems for people with certain conditions | People with coeliac disease must avoid gluten entirely to prevent intestinal damage. | B2 |
| lactose | a type of sugar found in milk and dairy products that some people cannot properly digest | Lactose intolerance is more common in adults than many people realise. | B2 |
| antioxidant | a substance found in certain foods that helps protect the body's cells from damage | Berries, dark chocolate, and green tea are all rich in antioxidants. | B2 |
| hydration | the process of keeping the body supplied with enough water to function properly | Proper hydration is essential during exercise, especially in hot weather. | B2 |
| sodium | a chemical element (the main component of salt) that the body needs in small amounts but which is harmful in excess | Many processed foods contain very high levels of sodium, which can raise blood pressure. | B2 |
| cholesterol | a fatty substance in the blood that is needed in small amounts but can cause heart problems if levels are too high | Eating less saturated fat can help to lower LDL cholesterol over time. | B2 |
| digestion | the process by which the body breaks down food and absorbs nutrients from it | Eating slowly and chewing thoroughly makes digestion easier and reduces bloating. | B1 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between “macronutrient” and “micronutrient”?
Macronutrients are the three main nutrients — protein, carbohydrate, and fat — that the body needs in relatively large amounts to produce energy and support basic functions. Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals that the body needs in much smaller quantities but which are equally essential for health. The prefix macro- means large and micro- means small, which makes the distinction straightforward once you know it. A diet can be high in macronutrients (plenty of calories) but still cause illness if micronutrients such as vitamin C, iron, or calcium are missing. This is why both quantity and variety in food choices matter.
What is the difference between “malnutrition” and “deficiency”?
Malnutrition is a broad term that describes any condition caused by an unbalanced or insufficient diet. It includes being underweight due to not enough food, but also being overweight due to too much food of poor quality — both are forms of malnutrition. A deficiency is more specific: it refers to a shortage of one particular nutrient in the body, such as an iron deficiency or a vitamin D deficiency. You can have a single nutrient deficiency without being malnourished overall, and you can be malnourished without having an obvious single deficiency. In formal writing, use deficiency when referring to one specific nutrient, and malnutrition when describing a broader dietary problem.
What does “balanced diet” mean in English?
A balanced diet is one that contains appropriate amounts of all the food groups and nutrients the body needs: carbohydrates for energy, protein for growth and repair, fats for cell function and hormone production, and sufficient vitamins and minerals from fruit and vegetables. It does not mean eating equal amounts of everything — different nutrients are needed in different proportions. In English-language health writing, a balanced diet is contrasted with restrictive diets (such as cutting out entire food groups) or unbalanced diets (such as eating mainly processed food). The phrase is a very common collocation in both everyday conversation and academic health texts.
What is “metabolism” and how is the word used in English?
Metabolism refers to all the chemical reactions in the body that convert food into energy. A fast metabolism means the body burns calories quickly; a slow metabolism means it does so more slowly. In everyday English, people talk about trying to boost their metabolism through exercise, eating regularly, or drinking enough water. In academic and health-writing contexts, the word appears in compound phrases: metabolic rate, basal metabolism, and metabolic disorder. The adjective form is metabolic. At B2 level, understanding both the noun (metabolism) and adjective (metabolic) will help you read and write about health topics with greater precision.
What is the difference between “vegan” and “vegetarian” in English?
A vegetarian does not eat meat or fish but may eat animal products such as dairy (milk, cheese, butter) and eggs. A vegan goes further, avoiding all animal products entirely — including dairy, eggs, honey, and often leather or other animal-derived materials. In English conversation, it is important not to confuse the two terms, as offering cheese to a vegan or assuming a vegetarian will eat fish can cause offence. Both words can be used as a noun (She is a vegan) or an adjective (a vegan meal, a vegetarian restaurant). Plant-based is a related term often used in food marketing to describe vegan or largely vegan products.
What does “sodium” mean and why do food labels use it instead of “salt”?
Sodium is a chemical element and one of the two components of table salt (the other being chloride). Food manufacturers and nutritionists use sodium rather than salt because it is more scientifically precise: the health concern relates specifically to the sodium content, not to the chloride. Food labels typically list both: the sodium content in milligrams and sometimes the equivalent amount of salt in grams. A general guideline is that adults should consume no more than 2,000–2,300 mg of sodium (about one teaspoon of salt) per day. Processed foods, bread, and ready meals are often the biggest sources of sodium in a modern diet, even when they do not taste salty.
What is “cholesterol” and how is this vocabulary used in health contexts?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance produced by the liver and found in certain foods. The body needs some cholesterol to build cells and produce hormones, but too much of the wrong type can narrow arteries and increase the risk of heart disease. In English health writing, you will often see the distinction between LDL cholesterol (sometimes called “bad” cholesterol) and HDL cholesterol (sometimes called “good” cholesterol). Common collocations include: high cholesterol, raise/lower cholesterol, cholesterol levels, and cholesterol test. At B2 level, knowing these collocations allows you to follow medical advice, read health articles, and discuss the topic accurately in writing tasks.
Is nutrition vocabulary useful for IELTS or B2 First exam preparation?
Nutrition and health vocabulary is highly relevant for both IELTS and Cambridge B2 First. IELTS Academic and General reading tests regularly include passages on public health, food science, and diet-related topics — words like obesity, malnutrition, deficiency, metabolism, and supplement appear with high frequency. IELTS Writing Task 2 frequently asks about causes and solutions to health problems. Cambridge B2 First includes health and lifestyle as a core thematic area in Use of English, Reading, and Writing papers. Using precise vocabulary — dietary fibre rather than “healthy food stuff”, or calorie intake rather than “how many calories you eat” — directly improves your band score or grade.
What is the difference between a “vitamin” and a “mineral”?
Both vitamins and minerals are micronutrients that the body needs in small amounts, but they are chemically different. Vitamins are organic compounds produced by plants or animals; examples include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, and the B vitamins. They can be broken down by heat, air, or acid. Minerals are inorganic elements that come from soil and water and enter the food chain through plants and animals; examples include calcium, iron, zinc, and sodium. Minerals do not break down during cooking. In everyday English, both words are used in phrases like vitamins and minerals, vitamin supplement, and mineral deficiency. Understanding the difference helps you read food labels and nutrition guidance accurately.
Which nutrition vocabulary words should I learn first as a B1 learner?
At B1 level, the highest-priority nutrition words are calorie, protein, carbohydrate, fibre, vitamin, mineral, nutrient, portion, balanced diet, digestion, vegan, and vegetarian. These words appear in everyday supermarket shopping, recipe reading, restaurant menus, and health conversations. Once you are comfortable with these, move on to B2-level terms: metabolism, macronutrient, micronutrient, deficiency, obesity, cholesterol, antioxidant, and sodium. The fastest way to consolidate this vocabulary is to read English food packaging, restaurant menus, and NHS or WHO health guidance — you will encounter all of these words repeatedly in authentic contexts.