Special Requirements Glossary

Low-calorie: These recipes contain less than 300 calories for a main dish and less than 150 calories for all other recipes. A low-calorie diet is essential for weight loss, and will also help you maintain a healthy body weight. Obesity has been linked to many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Low-fat: These recipes contain less than 30 percent of their total calories from fat, a health guideline advised by many national authorities. A high fat intake is associated with increased risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Low-salt: These recipes contain less than 140 mg of sodium per serving, a level established by the Food and Drug Administration for use on food labels. A low-sodium diet may help prevent and treat high blood pressure.

Dairy-free: These recipes contain no milk, cheese, yogurt or other types of milk products. Individuals who are allergic to dairy products will find these recipes useful.

Sugar-free: These recipes contain no added sugars, such as white or brown sugar, maple syrup, molasses, corn syrup, or concentrated fruit juices. A sugar-free diet is not essential for good health, but consider that the average American consumes more than one-third of a pound of sugar each day! Sugar provides no essential vitamins or minerals and is merely a source of extra calories that may also promote tooth decay and cavities. Sugar-free recipes are not carbohydrate-free.

Wheat-free: People who are allergic to wheat, as well as those who have celiac sprue, a condition where they cannot digest wheat and other grains that contain gluten, will find these recipes extremely useful. Wheat-free recipes contain no wheat.