GLOSSARY

Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian Diet excludes meat, poultry and fish while allowing both dairy and eggs.

Plant-centered eating spans patterns that include some animal foods through fully vegan diets. Evaluate protein quantity and quality, iron, calcium, iodine and other nutrients according to the foods retained or excluded. A reliable vitamin B12 source is particularly important in vegan eating. Legumes, grains, nuts and suitable fortified foods can contribute, but high fiber and low energy density may make fueling difficult for some athletes. Food choice and preparation matter more than the label alone.

An adequate diet provides sufficient energy and essential nutrients while fitting health needs. A high score for variety or a healthy food label cannot independently demonstrate adequacy. Review what is actually eaten, including foods excluded and suitable replacements. Athletes can consume many vegetables yet still lack enough energy or carbohydrate for training. Assess the overall pattern, distribution and relevant nutrient risks rather than assuming that a single food or supplement makes the entire diet balanced.

Protein targets depend on body size, training, energy intake, age and clinical status. A high-protein label does not identify the actual amount, amino-acid quality or distribution. During weight reduction, adequate protein and resistance exercise can help preserve lean tissue, but neither removes the consequences of an excessive energy deficit. Kidney disease can require a different clinical approach. Do not transfer a healthy athlete's protein strategy directly to a person with impaired renal function.

Fiber amount, type and food source influence stool characteristics, fermentation and tolerance differently. A high-fiber pattern can support general dietary quality but may require adjustment near exercise or in a specific gastrointestinal condition. Low fiber and low residue are related concepts with varying clinical definitions. Restrictions should have a purpose and review point, with adequate replacements. A short symptom-management strategy should not become a permanent exclusion of nutritious foods without reassessment.

Adherence concerns how closely an agreed plan is carried out over time. It is influenced by cost, work, family, symptoms, cooking skills and whether the plan is realistic. Difficulties are information for adjustment rather than proof of weak character. Agree on specific actions and review their feasibility. A modest, sustainable change can be more useful than an ambitious prescription that repeatedly prevents the athlete from eating enough or functioning comfortably in daily life.

A nutrition prescription specifies an individualized plan that can include energy, protein, other nutrients, fluid, food texture or route of delivery. The chosen body-weight reference, clinical condition and practical implementation must be clear when quantities are used. It should be monitored and revised as intake, treatment or health changes. In a clinical athlete, reconcile medical requirements with training rather than placing two incompatible prescriptions side by side and expecting the person to decide which one to follow.