Spanish - alimento vs. comida

alimento vs. comida

alimento  - masculine noun
1. (n) nourishment, or 'edible objects.' Seems to be used more in a technical sense, like a word that a professional like a Dietician or scientist might use when discussing something that people or animals eat, or when discussing food in terms of nutrition.
2. (n) encouragement or incentive
3. (n, plural) allowance given by an heir to relatives; a pension, an alimony

Some example uses:
de mucho alimento - nourishing
alimentos integrales - whole foods
alimentos naturales - health foods
de poco alimento - of little nutritional value
alimentos grasos - fatty foods
alimentos rico en fibra - fiber-rich foods
alimentos rico en proteínas - protein-rich foods
alimentos fortificados - fortified foods


comida - feminine noun
1. (n)eating, food, cooked food - Seems to be used more in everyday language, like we're eating fast food tonight, I have some junk food, that sort of thing
2. (n)meal, dinner, or lunch (in Mexcian spanish)
3. (n) Possibly 'board,' as in room and board, but that may be specifically Spain and not Mexico and South America

Some example uses:
comida chatarra - junk food (Latin American spanish)
comida casera - home cooking
comida para perros - dog food
comida rápida - fast food
comida de Navidad - Christmas dinner
comida de trabajo - business lunch
bendecir la comida - to say grace



Related words to know:
grupo alimenticio - food group
The food groups in spanish: vegetales, frutas, granos (grains), proteína (protein), lácteos (dairy).
Bajas en azúcar - low in sugar


Much of the above examples and definitions came from www.spanishdict.com