Food is any substance, usually composed primarily of carbohydrates, fats, water and/or proteins, that can be eaten or drunk by an animal for nutrition or pleasure. Items considered food may be sourced from plants, animals or other categories such as fungus or fermented products like alcohol. Although many human cultures sought food items through hunting and gathering, today most cultures use farming, ranching, and fishing, with hunting, foraging and other methods of a local nature included but playing a minor role.Most traditions have a recognizable cuisine, a specific set of cooking traditions, preferences, and practices, the study of which is known as gastronomy. Many cultures have diversified their foods by means of preparation, cooking methods and manufacturing. This also includes a complex food trade which helps the cultures to economically survive by-way-of food, not just by consumption.Many cultures study the dietary analysis of food habits. While humans are omnivores, religion and social constructs such as morality often affect which foods they will consume. Food safety is also a concern with foodborne illness claiming many lives each year. In many languages, food is often used metaphorically or figuratively, as in "food for thought".

Webapp a Calorie Counter searches the USDA food nutrition database and provides instant nutritional information for thousands of generic or prepared food products.

Search the USDA National Nutrient Database and see the full nutrition facts of your foods the way you were always meant to... quick, clean and clutter-free.

Several large-scale studies have proven health benefits of nuts. Nutritional benefits range from weight loss, lowering the occurrence of Adult Type 2 diabetes to decreasing heart disease risk. Nuts are so high in protein, the USDA Food Guide Pyramid places them in the meat category. In July 2003, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved

If you are fat you need to watch what you eat. Check out this free online calorie calculator tool for looking up nutrition data for food. This calorie counter uses the USDA database and is sure to help you lose weight.

Around the country, coaches and teachers are witnessing a complete overhaul of the school fundraising system. With USDA encouragement and some states passing actual laws, school districts all over the country are being very strongly encouraged to establish wellness policies which reduce or eliminate FMNV (Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value) on sc..