General terms:
* Nutrients: This refers to the components of food that provide nourishment and support bodily functions.
* Dietary intake: This describes the food and beverages that are consumed.
* Ingesta: This is a more formal term for the food that is taken into the body.
* Foodstuffs: This term refers to the materials that are used as food.
Specific terms:
* Macronutrients: This refers to the main components of food that provide energy, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
* Micronutrients: This refers to the vitamins and minerals that are essential for various bodily functions.
* Phytochemicals: These are bioactive compounds found in plants that may have health benefits.
* Nutritional supplements: These are products that are consumed to supplement the diet with specific nutrients.
Scientific fields:
* Food science: This field studies the physical, chemical, and biological properties of food.
* Nutrition: This field focuses on the relationship between food and health.
* Dietetics: This field focuses on the application of nutritional principles to the planning and management of diets.
Ultimately, the best term to use depends on the specific context and what you want to emphasize. For example, in a research paper on the effects of different diets, you might use terms like "nutrient intake" or "dietary intervention."