To diet is to intentionally reduce or change your food intake for health or weight management.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Dieting means controlling food intake for health.
- It's a common verb used for weight management.
- Focuses on reducing or changing food choices.
Overview
节食（jié shí）是一个非常常见的词语，尤其是在关注健康和体重管理的语境中。它指的是一种有目的的饮食行为，旨在通过控制食量或调整食物种类来达到特定的健康或体型目标。这种行为可以是为了减肥、保持身材，也可能是因为健康原因（如糖尿病患者需要控制糖分摄入）或宗教习俗。节食不一定意味着完全不吃某种食物，更多时候是指有计划地、有选择地进食。
作为动词，节食可以直接接宾语，表示“节食某种食物”或“节食以达到某种目的”。也可以单独使用，表示“正在节食”的状态。例如，“她在节食减肥”或“他为了健康开始节食”。在口语和书面语中都很常用。
节食这个词最常出现在以下语境：
**特定人群**：运动员、模特或有健康问题的人（如高血压、糖尿病）可能会有特定的节食计划。
与“节食”相似的词语包括“减肥”、“控制饮食”和“少吃”。
- 减肥 (jiǎn féi)：更侧重于“减掉体重”这个结果，而节食是达到这个结果的一种手段。
- 控制饮食 (kòng zhì yǐn shí)：这是一个更广泛的概念，可以包括节食，但也可以指遵循特定的饮食规定，不一定是为了减重，比如过敏人群需要控制某些食物的摄入。
- 少吃 (shǎo chī)：这是一个非常口语化的表达，意思就是吃得比平时少，可以看作是节食的一种简单形式，但缺乏“有计划”和“有目的”的含义。
Examples
为了减肥，他开始节食，并且每天坚持锻炼。
everydayIn order to lose weight, he started dieting and exercising every day.
医生建议她近期不要节食，保证充足的营养摄入。
formalThe doctor advised her not to diet recently and to ensure adequate nutritional intake.
我最近吃得有点多，打算下周开始节食。
informalI've been eating a bit too much lately, I plan to start dieting next week.
研究表明，长期的节食可能对新陈代谢产生负面影响。
academicResearch indicates that long-term dieting can negatively impact metabolism.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
节食减肥
diet for weight loss
节食计划
diet plan
健康饮食，适度节食
eat healthy, diet moderately
Often Confused With
While dieting (节食) is often done for weight loss (减肥), dieting is the action of controlling food intake, whereas weight loss is the result of reducing body mass. You can diet without losing weight, and you can lose weight through means other than dieting, like increased exercise.
Controlling diet is a broader term that can encompass dieting, but it also includes managing food intake for reasons other than weight loss, such as managing allergies, medical conditions (like diabetes), or adhering to religious or ethical restrictions.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term '节食' is widely understood and used in everyday Chinese conversations related to health and appearance. It is generally neutral in tone but can sometimes imply a restrictive or difficult process for the person doing it. When discussing medical reasons for dietary changes, more specific terms might be used, but '节食' is a common starting point.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse '节食' with simply 'eating less' without a specific purpose. It's important to remember that '节食' implies intention, whether for weight loss, health improvement, or other specific goals. Also, avoid using it to describe involuntary lack of food due to circumstances.
Tips
Smart Dieting Strategies
Focus on balanced nutrition, not just calorie restriction. Include plenty of vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains.
Avoid Extreme Dieting
Sudden or overly restrictive diets can harm your health and are often unsustainable. Consult a professional for safe plans.
Cultural Views on Dieting
In many cultures, maintaining a certain body shape is linked to health and beauty, making dieting a common practice, especially in urban areas.
Word Origin
The word '节食' is composed of two characters: '节' (jié) meaning 'to control', 'to regulate', or '节约' (save), and '食' (shí) meaning 'food' or 'to eat'. Together, they literally mean 'to control food intake' or 'to eat sparingly'.
Cultural Context
In contemporary Chinese society, influenced by global trends, dieting is often associated with achieving a certain aesthetic ideal, particularly among younger generations and women. However, it's also increasingly recognized as a necessary measure for managing lifestyle diseases prevalent in modern society.
Memory Tip
Think of '节' (jié) as 'control' or 'economy' (like saving money) and '食' (shí) as 'food'. So, '节食' is like 'controlling food' or 'food economy' – eating less or more carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions节食是一种为了减肥或其他健康目的而控制饮食的行为或方法。减肥则是指减少体重这个结果。所以，节食是实现减肥的一种途径。
不一定。虽然节食意味着减少食量，但更重要的是选择健康的食物和合理的饮食结构。科学的节食不应导致过度饥饿，而是要保证营养均衡。
通常在需要减轻体重、控制血糖、降低血脂等健康需求时，或者为了保持理想体型时，人们会选择节食。但任何节食计划都最好咨询医生或营养师的建议。
节食的关键在于“选择”和“控制”。虽然可以吃各种食物，但会限制摄入量，并优先选择营养密度高、热量低的食物，同时减少高糖、高油、高盐的食物。
Test Yourself
为了身体健康，她决定开始______。
句子的意思是“为了健康而改变饮食”，‘节食’最符合语境。
下列哪个选项最能描述“节食”的含义？
节食强调的是有计划和目的性地控制饮食，而不是单纯地饿肚子或完全不吃某种食物。
请用“节食”、“为了”、“健康”、“开始”组成句子。
这是最自然和符合中文语法的表达方式，先说目的，再说行为。
Score: /3
Summary
To diet is to intentionally reduce or change your food intake for health or weight management.
- Dieting means controlling food intake for health.
- It's a common verb used for weight management.
- Focuses on reducing or changing food choices.
Smart Dieting Strategies
Focus on balanced nutrition, not just calorie restriction. Include plenty of vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains.
Avoid Extreme Dieting
Sudden or overly restrictive diets can harm your health and are often unsustainable. Consult a professional for safe plans.
Cultural Views on Dieting
In many cultures, maintaining a certain body shape is linked to health and beauty, making dieting a common practice, especially in urban areas.
Examples
4 of 4为了减肥，他开始节食，并且每天坚持锻炼。
In order to lose weight, he started dieting and exercising every day.
医生建议她近期不要节食，保证充足的营养摄入。
The doctor advised her not to diet recently and to ensure adequate nutritional intake.
我最近吃得有点多，打算下周开始节食。
I've been eating a bit too much lately, I plan to start dieting next week.
研究表明，长期的节食可能对新陈代谢产生负面影响。
Research indicates that long-term dieting can negatively impact metabolism.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More food words
一斤
B1Half a kilogram; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 500g).
一两
B1Fifty grams; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 50g).
AA制
A2To split the bill; go Dutch.
一袋
B1A bag of.
一口
B1A mouthful; a bite; a small amount (of food or drink).
少一点儿
A2A bit less.
多一点儿
A2A bit more.
一瓶
B1A bottle of.
一碗
B1Measure word for a bowl of food.
一盒
B1A box of.
