Foods from plants and animals

Some of the foods we eat come from animals, including beef, veal, lamb, pork, fish and chicken. Other foods come from plants, including rice, wheat, fruit, beans and vegetables.

We also eat food that animals make. For example, chickens produce eggs and cows give milk. Plants produce food too, such as edible fruits. Plant and animal foods are used to make other foods, such as bread and cheese.

How we get food from animals

Some foods are produced from the flesh or internal organs of animals, such as:

• Beef, lamb, kangaroo, pork and mutton (red meats)
• Chicken and fish (white meats)
• Heart, liver, kidneys and brains (organ meats).

Most of these foods come from farmed animals. They are raised until they reach a target weight, then are slaughtered (killed) and butchered (cut up) for us to buy, cook and eat. Some animals, like kangaroos and most fish, are killed or caught in their natural environments.

Other animal foods, such as eggs and milk, are produced by animals over their lifetimes.

Cheese is an animal food

Cheese is made from milk, so it is also an animal food. Other foods made from milk are butter, cream and yoghurt.

How we get food from plants

Fruit is one of the many foods we get from plants. Other parts of plants we use for food include:

• Leaves and stems – celery, lettuce, silver beet
• Roots – potatoes, carrots, beetroot
• Seeds – wheat, rice, legumes, ground nuts (peanuts), tree nuts (walnuts, almonds).

Most plant foods eaten in Australia are produced on farms and orchards, but some are grown in greenhouses.

Cakes are made mainly from plant food

Most cakes are made from flour. Flour is made from wheat, which is a seed made by plants. Other foods made from wheat include:

• Bread
• Pastry
• Biscuits
• Pasta
• Noodles.

Cakes, biscuits and bread can also contain animal fat, eggs and milk.

Where to get help

• Local food suppliers
• Food retailers

Things to remember

• Animal foods include meat, eggs and milk.
• Cheese and yoghurt are made from milk, which is an animal food.
• Plant foods include vegetables, fruit, wheat and rice.

You might also be interested in:

• Food variety and a healthy diet.
  
• Fruit and vegetable - types.
  
• Fruit and vegetables - benefits.
  
• Fruit and vegetables - choosing and preparing.
  
• Healthy eating for kids.
  
• Healthy eating tips.
  
• Scurvy.
  
• Vegetarian eating.
  

Want to know more?

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This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

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Deakin University - Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences

Last reviewed: June 2012

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Some of the foods we eat come from animals and others come from plants. Beef and chicken are from animals. We also eat food that animals make, such as eggs and milk. Vegetables, cereals and fruit are plant foods.

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

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