IELTS Speaking Vocabulary about Food and Nutrition

  • A balanced diet
  • A bottle of bubbly
  • A decadent chocolate pudding
  • A doggy bag
  • A scrumptious meal
  • A sweet tooth
  • An English breakfast
  • Calm the hunger pangs
  • Candle lit dinner
  • Covered in a rich sauce
  • Cut down on
  • Daily consumption
  • Dying of hunger
  • Exotic meals
  • Fine Dining
  • Food Preparation
  • Food Production
  • Home cooked meals
  • Homemade food
  • Junk food
  • Leafy vegetables
  • Mouth-watering meals
  • Nutritious food
  • Packed with vitamins
  • Piping hot cup of coffee
  • Pub lunch
  • Rabbit food
  • Refined Carbohydrates
  • Scrumptious meal
  • Seasonal fruits


Balanced diet: a diet that includes a variety of different types of food in the right proportions for good health.

Example: It's important to have a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins.


Nutrient-rich: describes foods that are high in essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

Example: Leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale are very nutrient-rich.


Processed foods: foods that have been altered from their natural state through the addition of chemicals, preservatives, or other ingredients.

Example: Packaged snacks like chips and cookies are usually highly processed.

Organic: refers to food that has been grown or produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or other chemicals.

Example: I prefer to buy organic produce because I know it's free from harmful chemicals.

Superfoods: foods that are particularly nutrient-dense and beneficial for health.

Example: Blueberries and salmon are often considered superfoods because of their high levels of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids.

Vegetarian: a person who does not eat meat, fish, or poultry.

Example: My sister is a vegetarian, so we always make sure to have plenty of vegetable options when we cook.

Vegan: a person who does not eat or use any animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs, and leather.

Example: Some people choose to be vegan for ethical reasons, as they believe it's wrong to use animals for human purposes.

Gluten-free: describes food that does not contain gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.

Example: I have celiac disease, so I need to eat a gluten-free diet to avoid getting sick.

Portion control: the practice of eating only a certain amount of food at each meal to manage calorie intake.

Example: Even if you're eating healthy foods, it's important to practice portion control to avoid overeating.

Fast food: food that is quickly prepared and served in restaurants or through drive-thru windows.

Example: Fast food is often high in calories, fat, and sodium, so it's not the healthiest option for regular meals.


To achieve the greatest results, start practicing this with your friends or teacher first.


Vocabulary to talk about cafés

  • not look like much: the appearance is not very attractive
  • the first thing that hits you is: the first impression or sensation you have
  • be after something: want something 
  • home-made: not commercially bought
  • run something: in charge of or responsible for
  • happen to pass by: be there by chance
  • fancy a bite to eat: have the desire to eat something 
  • give them all a miss: to avoid or say “no” to
  • go for: to make a choice out of preference
  • come back for more: return and ask for the same again 
  • soak up the atmosphere: enjoy listening to people and looking at your surroundings  
  • feel like a home from home:  a place where you feel welcome and comfortable
  • hurry you up: make you finish quickly and leave
  • put so much into the place: work very hard to make something successful
  • find the time to pass the time of day with someone: make time to talk about everyday things

Food vocabulary

  • A balanced diet – A diet of mostly healthy food that has the right amount of nutrients
  • A bottle of bubbly – Sparkling wine
  • A decadent chocolate pudding – Luxurious or self-indulgent chocolate pudding
  • A doggy bag – The leftovers of a meal in a restaurant taken home
  • A scrumptious meal – A delicious meal
  • A slap up meal – an expensive or very indulgent ‘treat’ meal
  • A sweet tooth – An enjoyment of sweet food
  • An English breakfast – A large cooked breakfast that includes egg and bacon
  • Calm the hunger pangs – To reduce the discomfort caused by hunger
  • Candle lit dinner – A romantic dinner by candlelight
  • Covered in a rich sauce – Covered in a creamy gravy
  • Cut down on – To reduce consumption
  • Daily consumption – The amount that you eat everyday
  • Dying of hunger – Very hungry
  • Exotic meals – Meals that originate in other countries
  • Fine dining – Food catering to expensive tastes in a formal setting
  • Food preparation – Preparing food
  • Food production – Producing food
  • Fussy eater – Someone dislikes many foods
  • Home-cooked meals – Meals cooked at home
  • Homemade food – Food made at home
  • Junk food – Food with little nutritional value
  • Leafy vegetables – Vegetables such as spinach and cabbage
  • Mouth-watering meals – Delicious meals
  • Nutritious food – Food with many nutrients
  • Quick snack – a small meal that’s easy to eat ‘on the go’.
  • Packed with vitamins – Full of vitamins
  • Piping hot cup of coffee – Very hot coffee
  • Pub lunch – Lunch served in a bar
  • Rabbit food – Salad vegetables
  • Ready meals – Heat and eat meals
  • Refined carbohydrates – Foods such as white rice, white bread
  • Savouring the food – Enjoying the food
  • Scrumptious meal – An exceptionally tasty meal
  • Seasonal fruits – Fruits that grow in season
  • Starving hungry – Extremely hungry
  • Wining and dining – Entertainment that includes good food