Food is any substance consumed by an organism for nutrition. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals. Humans require a varied and balanced diet to maintain good health. The availability of food depends on many factors, including food production and processing, prices, household incomes, and access to markets.
The definition of food differs depending on the perspective from which it is being considered: In nutrition science, food is defined as substances that provide energy and nutrients, while in law, it is any edible substance. Food is a major part of every society and its importance to humans cannot be overstated. Without healthy, affordable foods available, life would be much more difficult for everyone on earth.
A healthy diet includes a variety of lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy. It also limits foods high in saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and salt. Foods that are processed, canned, frozen or boxed offer fewer nutritional benefits than those that are fresh.
Cooking methods also have a large impact on the healthfulness of food. Grilling, broiling, frying and deep-frying create harmful compounds like advanced glycation end products (AGEs), heterocyclic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polyunsaturated fatty acids that can contribute to heart disease.
Eating too much of certain foods can cause weight gain. Having too many calories from high-fat foods and added sugar can lead to obesity, which increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. It can also rob the body of valuable nutrients and slow healing after surgery by providing too many calories to bacteria, viruses and other pathogens.
Getting nutritious foods into the body can be challenging, especially for people living in poverty or experiencing other hardships. These people may have limited or no access to safe, nutritious food and have difficulty preparing it at home. They may also be exposed to chemicals in sprayed agricultural fields, livestock feed or household cleaners.
New York City has an array of delicious and culturally diverse cuisines, from a renowned Chinese restaurant to a popular Indian buffet. NYC restaurants also feature a wide range of authentic Japanese, Italian and Filipino dishes.
One of the most popular NYC foods is ramen noodles. The milky, long-simmered tonkotsu pork broth with thin noodles and silky fatty pork chashu at Marufuku Ramen is a must-try for noodle lovers in NYC. Another beloved NYC food is the spicy cumin lamb noodles at Xi’an Famous Foods. With smoky chunks of tender, flavorful lamb and over 20 herbs and spices, these noodles are irresistible. For an experience you won’t find elsewhere, try these and other NYC foods on your next visit.