Alternative Healing—Any method of healing not required of M.D.s: chiropractics, homeopathy, herbalism and faith healing. Sometimes called complementary medicine, these approaches don't necessitate rejection of allopathic medicine. The mixture of conventional and alternative therapies gaining wide acceptance is sometimes called integrative medicine.
Food Allergy—Shellfish, nuts, milk, soy and wheat are common food allergens and can cause serious immune reactions—even death due to anaphylactic shock.
food intolerance/sensitivity—The inability to comfortably assimilate substances such as lactose or gluten is difficult to diagnose, since the body's reaction to the offending substance is less obvious and immediate.
community-sponsored agriculture—The consumer pays the grower at the beginning of the season and receives regular shares in the harvest.
Fruitarianism—Fruitarians avoid killing anything, even plants, by eating only "what falls from the tree." It's easier to take this idea seriously if you consider that DaVinci, Thoreau, and Gandhi were all fruitarians (although so is Woody Harrelson).
genetically modified organism—The jury is still out on the safety of genetically modified food, both for human consumption and for ecological systems. While the European Union and Africa protest the import and production of GMOs, the United States is moving full steam ahead in the development and consumption of "Frankenfoods."
Herbalism—Using plants for medicine.
Homeopathy—"Like cures like" and "less is more" are the fundamental axioms of this 200-year-old system of healing from Germany.
Juice Fasting—Cleansing the body by temporarily giving up solid food.
Low-Glycemic Diet—Avoiding foods that cause sudden fluctuations in blood sugar.
Macrobiotics—A system of eating that emphasizes seasonal whole grains and vegetables, supplemented with beans and sea vegetables. Developed in the 1950s by Japanese philosopher George Osawa, macrobiotics can have quasi-spiritual aspects.
Naturopathy—According to the American Association of Naturopathic Doctors, N.D.s study the same basic sciences as M.D.s, but also learn about holistic approaches to therapy, with an emphasis on disease prevention and promoting wellness—as well as nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathy, botanical medicine and counseling.
Oriental medicine—Includes traditional Chinese medicine, which incorporates herbal remedies and dietary recommendations.
Organic—Organic food is produced without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides—thus without toxic chemical residues. Proponents claim that organic and other alternative farming methods also build topsoil and maintain groundwater purity.
Raw Foodism—Eating only uncooked and unpasteurized foods.
slow food movement—Originally an Italian reaction to the spread of (American) fast food, this cultural and ecological movement now has proponents worldwide. When they're not lobbying to make food production safer and more sustainable, educating the masses on food politics or preserving traditional cuisine, slow foodists get together to share leisurely meals made with local ingredients.
Supplements—Vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, amino acids or other nutritional items consumed separately from food.
Vegan—Someone who doesn't eat any animal products (including dairy products and eggs). Many vegans also avoid using products that entail cruelty to animals, such as leather shoes and animal-tested cosmetics.
Vegetarian—Someone who eats no animal flesh (meaning no beef, pork, poultry or fish). Lacto-ovo vegetarians eat both dairy products and eggs.
Whole Foods—Minimally processed or unrefined foods, such as brown rice, non-homogenized milk and fresh vegetables.
—Gretchen Jude
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