health food

American  

noun

1. any natural food popularly believed to promote or sustain good health, as by containing vital nutrients, being grown without the use of pesticides, or having a low sodium or fat content.

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health food British  

noun

1. 1. vegetarian food organically grown and with no additives, eaten for its dietary value and benefit to health

   2. ( as modifier )

      a health-food shop

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Etymology

Origin of health food

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Erewhon, Los Angeles’ trendy health food cafe and retailer, will bring its signature smoothies, matcha and coffee to Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s new David Geffen Galleries.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

Shelke also observed that a fortified snack with, say, six grams of fiber but 15 grams of added sugar can’t be called a health food.

From MarketWatch • May 10, 2026

Their activism faced a commercial test as the brand moved from health food aisles into the mainstream.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

For years they've been a familiar sight in the aisles of health food stores, but more recently they've been cropping up in high street coffee shops too.

From BBC • Nov. 22, 2025

So now Molly does—she swallowed her pride, asked Ralph for money, and bought almond butter, organic honey, and nutty bread in the health food store in Bar Harbor.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline