pokarm

Pokarm is a Polish term meaning food or nourishment consumed to sustain life. It is used for both humans and animals and appears in scientific, agricultural, and everyday language. In everyday speech pokarm often refers to what people eat, while more specialized terms such as pasza are used for animal feed, and related words exist in other Slavic languages.

In biology and ecology, pokarm denotes the substances that an organism consumes. The concept underlies feeding relationships and the food chain, where producers provide pokarm for herbivores, which in turn become pokarm for carnivores and omnivores.

In nutrition, pokarm should supply energy and essential nutrients. A balanced pokarm includes carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and adequate water. Public health guidance emphasizes variety, moderation, safety in handling and preparation, and the avoidance of contamination.

In cultural and everyday contexts, pokarm reflects regional cuisines, dietary traditions, and rules related to health, religion, or ethics. The term frames nourishment as a universal, everyday necessity shared by humans and animals.