Food is any material consumed to supply nutrition to an organisms. More specifically, food is of plant, animal, or microbial origin, and has all necessary nutrients, including vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals. Any type of food that humans consume can be categorized as food, with the exception of poisons (poisons included in foods do not provide nutrition and are therefore not food), drugs and medical products, like steroids, insulin and antibiotics. In nature, all food is organic; that is, it is food created by living organisms in their natural environment in a natural way.
Plants manufacture carbohydrates by photosynthesis, using sunlight, water, and carbon compounds as raw materials. These substances are made into starch, which is the primary source of energy for plants. Many different types of carbohydrates are found in foods, including glucose, sucrose, corn sugar, lactose, rice, and hops, while fatty acids are found in some fats and some carbohydrates. Some foods are deficient in certain vitamins and minerals, whereas others provide all of these necessities.
The best way to achieve and maintain a healthy diet is to eat a balanced and varied diet that consists of a variety of the necessary food groups. It’s best to eat several small meals each day rather than having a large number of large meals. Some foods that are good for maintaining health and having a healthy immune system include: whole grains, lean meats (such as turkey and chicken), fruits, vegetables, legumes (peas, beans, nuts, mushrooms), dairy products, fish, and dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is found in some vegetables, like broccoli and spinach, while those that are considered “fat-free” or “low-fat” contain no fat. Some oils, like olive oil and butter, are considered healthy oils because they contain omega-3 fatty acids that are essential to good health.