IELTS

This article covers useful collocations, idioms, adjectives to talk about Food in IELTS Speaking. 

– to be full up: to eat to the point that you can no longer eat any more

Don’t order any more food. I have been full up already.

-to grab a bite to eat: to eat something quickly (when you’re in a rush)

I was in a hurry this morning so I grabbed  a bite to eat and ran out for meeting.

– the main meal: the meal at which you eat the most food

Lunch is usually our main meal, except on Sundays.

–stoke up with something: to eat a lot of a particular food in order to avoid feeling hungry or weak later

As she had an important meeting all day long, she stoked up with a lot of chicken soup and bread for breakfast.

to wine and dine: to entertain with food, eat sumptuously

They wined and dined in one of the most luxurious restaurants in Paris after marriage.

–shovel sth into your mouth (= shovel down): to put large quantities of food into your mouth very quickly

– to be dying of hunger: an exaggerated way of saying you are hungry

Let’s find something to eat. I am dying of hunger because of studying extensively for four hours.

– to be starving hungry: an exaggerated way of saying you are very hungry

I’m starving hungry now. Let’s go grab something to eat.

– to eat a balanced diet: to eat the correct types and amounts of food

In order to lose weight, we should try to eat a balanced diet with less sugar intake.

– to eat like a horse: to eat a lot >< eat like a bird

Eating like a horse in a party may be considered to be extremely impolite.

– to have a sweet tooth: to enjoy sugary food

I’m really afraid of gaining weight quickly and contracting diabetes because I have a sweet tooth.

– home-cooked food: food cooked at home from individual ingredients

Although home-cooked food is usually not as delicious as the one served in restaurants, it is much more beneficial to your health.

– to make your mouth water: to make you feel very hungry for something

McDonald’s serves all kinds of burgers, from cheese burgers to beef burgers. These things always make my mouth water every time I walk into the restaurant.

– to foot the bill: to pay the bill

My friend asked me out for dinner and he didn’t want me to foot the bill.

– to spoil your appetite: to eat something that will stop you feeling hungry when it’s meal-time.

• Carry-out: take-out, food that is cooked and sold by a restaurant or store to be eaten elsewhere.

– processed food: commercially prepared food bought for convenience

Processed food is very convenient for those who are busy all day long, but eating it frequently may be very harmful to our health.

– to bolt something down: to eat something very quickly

My son bolted down his lunch and went out with his friends.

-to follow a recipe: to cook a meal using instructions

I set up and run a famous blog which give readers hundreds of quick lessons in how to follow recipes to make any dish great.

• drive through (drive-thru): type of service provided by a business that allows customers to purchase products without leaving their cars

– a quick snack: to eat a small amount of food between meals

– eat in: to have a meal at home rather than in a restaurant

– Binge eating: eating a lot of food, especially without being able to control yourself

– a slap up meal: a large meal

-to tuck into: to eat something with pleasure

– go on a diet: trying to lose weight by eating less food or specific foods.

Adjectives to describe food

There is a large repertoire of adjectives to describe a good taste

Sumptuous

Flavorful

Rich in flavor

Divine

Amazing

Appealing

Appetizing

Delectable

Delightful

Enjoyable

Enticing

Excellent

Exquisite

Extraordinary

Fantastic

Mouthwatering

Palatable

Pleasant

Scrumptious

Superb

Tantalizing

Terrific

Yummy