Food is any material consumed in order to supply nutritional support to an organism for the purpose of maintaining life. In the modern world of high-technological living, food is almost exclusively of manufactured or processed form, with the exception of foods that contain natural organic compounds which are rarely processed. Basically, food is food, whether eaten in its original state or prepared in a different way. Food is the main source of nourishment for human beings. With the exception of nuts and berries, all other food sources are either animal or plant in nature.

The main function of food is to enable the body to function normally. To do this, there must be a balance between the energy intake and energy output, known as calorie intake. When food is consumed, it is metabolized by the body, or broken down to small particles that are then absorbed into the bloodstream where it provides the body with fuel. This is how food fuels the body’s physical processes, especially when there is no physical activity involved in the consumption of food. When the metabolism of food is slow, calories are not burned off, the body does not become tired, and weight is accumulated.

There are different types of food that people need in order to maintain their health: carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Carbohydrates are found in vegetables and fruits, whereas proteins are found in meat, fish, poultry and eggs. Fatty acids are found in butter, cream and other dairy products, while vitamins and minerals can be found in whole grains and other fresh vegetables. All of these different activities are necessary to help people lose and maintain their body weight.