Food is any material consumed to supply nutrition to the organisms. Food is generally of animal, plant or fungi origin, and has vital nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, or iron, that are required for their survival. The human body uses approximately thirteen calories of energy to ingest food, which accounts for about seventy percent of the total daily energy intake. In the twenty-first century, with the development of science and the discipline of nutrition, food is no longer a part of a gathering but has become the primary source of nourishment for human beings. Today, it has become a way of life, with most people living on a normal diet of cereals, meat, fruits, vegetables, legumes and dairy products.

With the growth in knowledge and preferences of individuals concerning food, nutrition has also developed into an important subject in many fields. A diet rich in nutrients, balanced according to sex and age, and containing the right amount of proteins, carbohydrates, fat, calcium, magnesium, and iron, ensures good health. A well-balanced diet can prevent several kinds of diseases, some of them life-threatening, and help to reduce weight. Besides eating foods that are healthy, people should exercise regularly, take vitamins and supplements, avoid tobacco use, and consume moderate alcohol consumption.

A balanced diet rich in nutrients ensures good health. It is advisable to consume eight ounces of fruits and six ounces of whole grain cereal every day. People should take vitamins and mineral supplements on a regular basis to prevent vitamin deficiency. In certain situations, especially those in which a person’s immune system has been compromised by certain medications, adequate vitamin D, calcium, iron, and other minerals might not be available from the food they eat. Under such circumstances, eating foods fortified with these substances could be helpful. A dietary supplement may also be necessary for certain infants, pregnant women, and people with certain diseases.