The Rise of the Lifestyle Nutritionists – step 1b
Additional notes about the vocabulary
salient – adj – most noticeable or important
to round sth off – phrasal verb – to make the edges of sth smooth; to complete sth in a suitable or satisfying way, as here, where it indicates that the two radio programmes have covered a wide range of topics related to nutritional theories.
a fad – a passing phase, a whim, an idiosyncrasy, a craze, an arbitrary like or dislike
Eg His latest fad is motorbikes or brewing home-made beer
faddy – adj – having many arbitrary likes and dislikes about (usually about food)
a diet fad – a diet which is arbitrary and idiosyncratic – it might ‘ban’ all types of sugar or cereals, or recommend a high intake of eggs, or meat. The use of the word ‘fad‘ indicates it is temporary and may be unreliable – it implies it might be popular for a short time, but people will tire of it, or it will be disproved.
stretch – treat eg a truth, view or statement in such a way that it ‘means’ more or something other than it actually does. Eg Saying James and Marie are serious about each other is stretching it a bit – they’re just good friends, that’s all.(The statement made has implied the friendship is more serious than it is.)
manipulate – control or influence cleverly, or unscrupulously
to push a certain line – to promote a particular way of dealing with or thinking about something or someone
drink in moderation – i.e. drink alcohol in moderation
go down the route of – choose the option of
turn off – informal – cause people to become bored, disenchanted, or repelled by sth
black and white – adjectives to indicate clearly defined opposing opinions, findings or principles in a situation, field, or debate.
a grey area – usually singular – a situation which is not clear or where the rules are not known
It’s all very well… You say that something is all very well/fine/good if it seems good by itself but you think that there are problems connected with it.
Eg It’s all very well saying you’re not interested in getting a good mark in your exam, but have you considered what will happen if you get turned down for a job because of your exam results? (i.e. you may not have thought of the consequences of your current stance or attitude and may be disappointed in the future as a result.)
It’s all well and good going on these ridiculous diets, but have you any proof that eating 6 eggs a day is actually good for you? (i.e. this diet might be bad for you, and you could regret it).
pick and choose – phrase meaning to choose only the best from among a number of alternatives
Eg If you enrol on that course you have to study all the topics on this list – you can’t just pick and choose (i.e. you can’t just choose to do the topics you want to).
cherry-pick – verb – to select the very best from the people or things available.
NB Professor Chalmers says they ‘look under stones and behind bushes for studies which might be hiding’. He means that some research might be very important, but not have attracted the limelight of other, higher profile work.
metanalysis / meta-analysis – a technique currently popular in medical research, whereby all data from all available studies of something are combined, at times regardless of the quality of the data. The technique is used by researchers to get a maximum amount of statistical information (the most "power" possible), without worrying about distortion of the results.
tummy – informal – stomach or abdomen
a cot death – the unexplained death of a baby in its sleep