What is the difference between food and nutrition?

It is common for many people use the terms "food" and "nutrition" interchangeably; however, and although both are closely related, they do not mean the same thing.

Nutrition is a vital process for human beings, through which our body takes advantage of those nutrients that we have ingested to that the organism works correctly, for example, so that the cells remain alive and have the necessary energy to do well their job. Although we sometimes talk about human nutrition, animals and plants also feed themselves. As we will see later, it is possible to talk about different forms of nutrition: autotrophic nutrition or heterotrophic nutrition are some examples.

Instead, food is made up of actions that we consciously perform and voluntarily, whose purpose is to select, prepare and eat food.

In the following lines we will go into greater detail in the difference between food and nutrition and we will explain the different types that exist.

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What are nutrients and foods

To understand the difference between food and nutrition, it is ideal to start by understanding the difference between food and nutrient. Food is any nutritive substance or product that is intended to be ingested by human beings, whether they have been completely transformed or not (for example, if they have been cooked).

Food includes:

• Fruit
• Vegetables and greens
• Milk and its derivatives
• Meat and sausages
• Fish and shellfish
• Eggs
• Vegetables
• Cereals
• Nuts
• Sugars, sweets, and sugary drinks
• Oils and fats
• Alcoholic drinks
• Water
• Chewing gum (According to the European Parliament, 2002)

Not included are: feed, live animals (except those that are marketed for human consumption, for example, oysters), plants before harvest, medicines or cosmetics.

Instead, nutrients are the substances found in food and that are useful for organic metabolism. Nutrients are classified into macronutrients and micronutrients. The former include proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids; and the second vitamins and minerals. Some experts include water within the group of nutrients, but exclude alcohol.

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The concept of nutrition

Taking into account the definition of nutrients, nutrition is the unconscious and involuntary processes through which the body digests, transforms and makes use of the aforementioned nutrients. Likewise, it also includes the process of eliminating substances that are part of ingested food and that the body does not need.

Nutrition is key to life, since without consuming food or water, we would die. Having said that, you can't talk about bad or good nutrition, Well, this would refer to food. If possible, instead, talk about poor nutrition.

On the other hand, there are two essential types of nutrition: autotrophic and heterotrophic.

1. Autotrophic nutrition

It occurs when a living being feeds after synthesizing inorganic substances. That is, it can only be done by those living beings that manage to produce their own food, for example, plants through photosynthesis (these living beings are called photolithoautotrophs) or some bacteria that use chemical elements and are called chemolytotrophs. For example: bacteria.

2. Heterotrophic nutrition

Heterotrophic living beings need an elaborate source of food. Humans and other animals, fungi, and most microorganisms belong to this group.

Heterotrophic nutrition can be divided into:

• Parasitic nutrition: a living being lives inside another that it feeds on and at the same time harms.
• Saprophytic nutrition: a living being obtains nutrients from the environment and breaks them down thanks to the action of enzymes.
• Holozoic nutrition: it is that of human beings. Solid foods are eaten to later digest and get the nutrients you need.

exist three types of holozoic nutrition:

• Herbivorous nutrition: the living being eats vegetables.
• Carnivorous nutrition: the living being eats meat.
• Omnivorous nutrition: the living being eats vegetables and meat.

Herbivorous nutrition differs from vegetarian nutrition, because herbivorous nutrition is one in which the body is biologically prepared to decompose vegetables; and vegetarian food is one in which the person chooses to eat vegetables.

Food: why it is not the same as nutrition

After observing the previous example, it is clear that feeding is a conscious and voluntary process, in which the person chooses what he is going to eat and how he is going to do it. In addition, feeding is an educable and modifiable act throughout life, which allows changing habits.

Some types of food They are:

• Infant feeding: one that focuses on obtaining the best nutrition for children of growing age.
• Feeding the pregnant woman: the most appropriate for the pregnancy process.
• Sports nutrition: a selection of foods that maximize the energy level and muscle recovery of individuals who practice sports or perform physical exercise.
• Healthy nutrition: eating habits or customs that help to have a life with greater physical health.
• Vegetarianism: vegetarianism is an ideology that influences eating habits, since these people basically consume vegetables and fruits. In addition to strict vegetarians, there are lacto-ovo vegetarians, who consume eggs and dairy in addition to vegetables; and lacto-vegetarians, who only eat dairy in their diet in addition to vegetables.
• Veganism: it is the ideology of not eating food products of animal origin, that is, not eating meat and fish products, and neither eggs, dairy products or honey, but it goes beyond the feeding; nothing that comes from animals is consumed.

Classification of nutrients

If you want to know more about the different types of nutrients that exist, you can read these articles:

• The 20 types of proteins and their functions in the body
• Types of fats (good and bad) and their functions
• Types of vitamins: functions and benefits for your body