Health and diet
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- Last Updated: Tuesday, 15 July 2025 19:28
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Vocabulary for IELTS: Health & diet.
"Health and diet" is a frequently discussed topic in both IELTS Speaking and Writing tests. You may be asked to talk about healthy habits, describe your diet, or express your views on healthcare systems and nutrition trends. The following vocabulary list contains words and expressions that will help you speak and write more effectively and accurately on this topic.
1. Balanced diet: [Meaning: A diet that contains the right amounts of all nutrients]
Example 1: Maintaining a balanced diet is crucial for long-term health.
Example 2: Nutritionists often stress the importance of a balanced diet over calorie counting.
2. Processed food: [Meaning: Food that has been altered for preservation or convenience]
Example 1: Excessive consumption of processed food is linked to heart disease.
Example 2: Children today are more exposed to processed food than fresh produce.
3. Nutrient-dense: [Meaning: Containing a high amount of nutrients relative to calories]
Example 1: Kale and spinach are nutrient-dense vegetables widely recommended by health experts.
Example 2: A nutrient-dense diet can improve energy levels and immune function.
4. Obesity epidemic: [Meaning: A widespread increase in obesity rates in a population]
Example 1: Sedentary lifestyles have contributed to the global obesity epidemic.
Example 2: The obesity epidemic is now a public health priority in many countries.
5. Malnutrition: [Meaning: Poor nutrition caused by lack of or excess of nutrients]
Example 1: Malnutrition can affect both underweight and overweight individuals.
Example 2: Poverty remains a major cause of malnutrition in developing countries.
6. Caloric intake: [Meaning: The number of calories consumed through food and drink]
Example 1: Athletes often have higher caloric intake due to their physical demands.
Example 2: Managing caloric intake is essential for healthy weight loss.
7. Cardiovascular health: [Meaning: The health of the heart and blood vessels]
Example 1: Regular aerobic exercise improves cardiovascular health significantly.
Example 2: High-fat diets are detrimental to cardiovascular health.
8. Immunity booster: [Meaning: A food or supplement that helps strengthen the immune system]
Example 1: Citrus fruits are considered natural immunity boosters.
Example 2: Many people turn to herbal remedies as immunity boosters during flu season.
9. Chronic illness: [Meaning: A long-term health condition that may not have a cure]
Example 1: Diabetes is a chronic illness that can be managed through diet and medication.
Example 2: Many chronic illnesses are preventable through lifestyle changes.
10. Holistic health: [Meaning: An approach that considers physical, mental, and social well-being]
Example 1: More clinics are promoting holistic health rather than treating symptoms alone.
Example 2: Yoga and meditation are essential components of holistic health.
11. Metabolic rate: [Meaning: The rate at which the body burns calories to produce energy]
Example 1: Genetics play a major role in determining your metabolic rate.
Example 2: Eating small, frequent meals can help stabilise metabolic rate.
12. Dietary fibre: [Meaning: Indigestible plant matter that aids digestion]
Example 1: Dietary fibre is essential for maintaining bowel regularity.
Example 2: Whole grains and legumes are excellent sources of dietary fibre.
13. Preventive medicine: [Meaning: Medical care focused on disease prevention rather than treatment]
Example 1: Public health campaigns often advocate for preventive medicine to reduce long-term healthcare costs.
Example 2: Vaccination is one of the most effective forms of preventive medicine.
14. Dietary intervention: [Meaning: A plan to improve health through changes in diet]
Example 1: A dietary intervention helped reduce cholesterol levels in trial participants.
Example 2: Doctors often recommend dietary interventions for hypertensive patients.
15. Nutritional deficiencies: [Meaning: Lack of essential nutrients in the diet]
Example 1: Vitamin D nutritional deficiencies are common in northern climates.
Example 2: Iron deficiency is a leading cause of fatigue in young women.
16. Saturated fats: [Meaning: Fats that can raise cholesterol levels and lead to heart disease]
Example 1: Nutritionists recommend reducing saturated fats in daily meals.
Example 2: Fast food is often loaded with saturated fats and sodium.
17. Eating disorder: [Meaning: A mental condition characterised by abnormal eating habits]
Example 1: Social media has been linked to a rise in eating disorders among teenagers.
Example 2: Early intervention is vital in treating eating disorders effectively.
18. Public health campaign: [Meaning: Organised efforts to improve community health awareness]
Example 1: The government launched a public health campaign to combat childhood obesity.
Example 2: Smoking rates dropped significantly after the nationwide public health campaign.
19. Food labelling: [Meaning: Providing nutritional information on food packaging]
Example 1: Improved food labelling enables consumers to make healthier choices.
Example 2: Critics argue that food labelling still lacks clarity in many countries.
20. Lifestyle disease: [Meaning: A health condition caused largely by unhealthy habits]
Example 1: Type 2 diabetes is a common lifestyle disease linked to poor diet and inactivity.
Example 2: Public policies must address lifestyle diseases through education and support.

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