Food is any material consumed to provide nutrition to the organisms. Food is consumed by man for the sustenance of his life and is divided into two classes: animal food and plant food. Animal food consists of flesh, bones, organs, hooves, horns, tendons, wings, teeth, fur, manure, blood, etc., whereas plant food consists of seeds, leaves, roots, rhizomes, fruits, vegetables, etc. Both animal and plant food contain food components which are required for the growth and support of organisms; however, the quantity and type of food organisms need varies with the type of organism. Animal food contains protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and blood, whereas plant food consists of carbohydrates, vitamins, protein, minerals, and chlorophyll.
Plants contain different group of foods and animals contain protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and other nutrients that are necessary to sustain life. Fishes are a major source of vitamin rich food like cod liver oil, milk, cheese, butter, fish eggs, seaweeds, etc. The group of vegetable oils include sunflower oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, flaxseed oil, etc., which are used for the purpose of nourishing the body through vitamin deficiency. Milk and dairy products supply the body with calcium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, zinc, etc., and are consumed in abundance by the people.
Animal foods consist of a higher percentage of saturated fats and low percentage of unsaturated fats. The unsaturated fats are necessary for the oxidation of lipids, whereas saturated fats are responsible for the storage of body fat. Vitamin A is obtained by animal food by means of vitamin A synthesized in the liver, while vitamin B1 is obtained through milk by means of vitamin B1. Vitamin D is obtained through fish oil and dairy products, while certain other fat soluble vitamins are obtained through vegetable oils.