What is the term for the process of taking in food?

The process of taking in food is referred to as ingestion. This term specifically describes the initial step in the nutritional process, where organisms consume nutrients necessary for survival. Ingestion is fundamental because it kicks off the sequence of digestion, absorption, and ultimately, the use of nutrients by the body.

To provide context, absorption pertains to the process that occurs later when the digested nutrients are taken up by the cells after digestion. Digestion refers to the breakdown of food into smaller components, while excretion involves the removal of waste materials from the body. Each of these processes is critical for maintaining health, but ingestion is uniquely focused on the intake of food itself.