Looking up...
Any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body.
Pflanzliche Nahrungsmittel sind reich an Vitaminen.
Plant-based foods are rich in vitamins.
Used in scientific, nutritional, and everyday contexts.
Items or substances that can be eaten by humans or animals.
Dieses Produkt enthält keine tierischen Nahrungsmittel.
This product contains no animal-based foods.
Often used interchangeably with 'Lebensmittel' (groceries/foodstuffs) in everyday speech.
'Nahrungsmittel' and 'Lebensmittel' are often used interchangeably in everyday speech, but 'Nahrungsmittel' specifically emphasizes the nutritional aspect. Use 'Lebensmittel' for general groceries and 'Nahrungsmittel' when referring to food as a source of nourishment.
When discussing nutrition, dietetics, or food science, prefer 'Nahrungsmittel' over 'Lebensmittel' to convey the nutritional purpose.
From Middle High German 'nahrunge' (nourishment) + 'mittel' (means, agent), first attested in the 15th century. Related to 'nähren' (to nourish).
In everyday German, 'Nahrungsmittel' is often replaced by the more general term 'Lebensmittel' (groceries/foodstuffs). 'Nahrungsmittel' is more commonly used in scientific, nutritional, or formal contexts. The term emphasizes the nutritional function rather than the edibility aspect.