Nourriture vs. aliment
The French language has several words to refer to 'food', among them are 'nourriture' and 'aliment'. Both translate into 'food' in English, but they are used in differing contexts and have different nuances.
Nourriture
'Nourriture' is the most common word for food in French. It generally refers to food in a broader sense and can encompass everything that is eaten by people and animals.
J'aime la nourriture italienne.
(I love Italian food.)
La nourriture pour chiens doit être riche en protéines.
(Dog food should be high in protein.)
Aliment
'Aliment' is a more formal term, often used in a scientific or nutritional context. It specifically points to an individual item of food, usually referring to its nutritional value.
Le riz est un aliment de base en Asie.
(Rice is a staple food in Asia.)
Le sucre est un aliment qui apporte beaucoup d'énergie mais peu de nutriments.
(Sugar is a food that provides a lot of energy but few nutrients.)
Summary
'Nourriture' and 'aliment' both mean food, but they are applied differently. 'Nourriture' is used more broadly, involving overall meals and even animal feed, while 'aliment' focuses more on individual items of food in the context of their nutritional value.