Food is known as a specific kind of nourishment that exists in solid form (as opposed to liquid) and is of animal, plant, fungi, and/or bacterial origin. In order for it to be considered "food" scientifically, it must contain and/or be composed of nutrients essential to the body: like fats, vitamins, carbohydrates, water, proteins, or minerals. It must also must be assimilated through consumption, and be capable of being metabolized so as to produce growth, create energy, and maintain life. (The production or atrophy of bodily tissues, muscles, and organs can be directly related to presence or lack of food in most creatures.) Ultimately, it's something that sustains, supplies, or nutritionally supports it's consumer whether it be plant or animal. Food can also be considered, in the figurative or metaphorical sense, as something that sustains mental stimulus, excites one's feelings, molds your character, or provides physical nourishment like "Food for Thought" or "Soul Food".

Food can sometimes be detrimental as many types of gastrointestinal-based illnesses can be contracted through the improper cooking or contamination of commonly eaten items like beef (possible source of Mad Cow Disease), pork (Trichinosis), and chicken (E. coli).

In early human history, food was aquired through hunting and gathering, Now, with new farming, fishing, and ranching knowledge or "agriculture"; it's now possible to have surpluses of food even when it'd traditionally be considered to be "out of season", or not available for harvest. Gastronomy, the study of a culture's particular types of food through it's cooking practices, preferences, and traditions is a way for scientists and anthropologists to categorize specific types of cuisine to a geographic location. Some religions and societies actually chose to obstain from some kinds of food due to moral or social standards. Some nations actually regulate the definition of food. They list food as any item that is either partially or completely processed and/or unprocessed, but meant, largely, for human consumption as food. Often included are things like water, mints or gums, and drinks. However, livestock intended for slaughter, animal grade food, cosmetics, tobacco and tobacco products, drugs, medicine, and other similar items don't fall under the state definition of food.