What does nutritional mean?
Nutritional means relating to the nutrients contained in food and to the ways in which the body obtains and uses them. The word is especially common in discussions of health, diet, public health, and food labelling, as in “nutritional value,” “nutritional needs,” and “nutritional deficiency.” It can describe a property of food, a dietary requirement, or an issue affecting health. Although nutritional and nutritious sometimes seem interchangeable, their scope differs: nutritional relates broadly to nutrition and nutrient content, while nutritious more directly characterizes food as providing nourishment. Nutritional is also used when discussing the science of diet or the requirements of a particular population, such as children, athletes, or pregnant people. In general usage, the adjective conveys an objective, often technical concern rather than the stronger implication of healthiness associated with terms such as “healthy” or “wholesome.”
adjectiveRelating to nutrition, especially the process by which the body obtains and uses nutrients from food. It may also describe the presence of beneficial nutrients in food or the dietary requirements necessary for good health.
- Relating to the process of obtaining and using nutrients, or to the scientific study of diet and nutrition.
- Containing beneficial or necessary nutrients, or designed to supply them.
"The report emphasizes the importance of meeting children's nutritional needs during the first years of life."
"The label displays the nutritional information for each serving."
"Pregnant patients require additional nutritional support."
A food can be high in calories and still have poor nutritional value.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nutritional come from?
Nutritional was formed in English from nutrition with the adjective-forming suffix -al. Nutrition ultimately comes from Latin nutritio, a noun derived from nutrire, meaning “to nourish” or “to feed.” The same Latin foundation appears in related English words such as nutritious, nutritive, nutriment, and malnutrition.
Related word forms
How nutritional is actually used
The adjective is standard in general, scientific, and public-health contexts. It is broader than “healthful” and does not, by itself, imply that food is beneficial or balanced.
Easily confused with nutritional
Nutritional describes anything relating to nutrition or nutrients, whereas nutritious is used specifically of food that provides beneficial nourishment.