In the Kama Sutra, it’s listed under James Kirk, Space Cowboy
Referenced in the Captain Jack Harkness discussion, too
I mentioned this in post 6 but couldn’t remember the episode or exact quote, so thanks. For some reason I pictured him saying it to Counselor Troi.
In one of the novels, Metamorphosis Data discusses his “eating habits” at length. He does need to “eat” or ingest certain elements occasionally (I believe amino acids and proteins were mentioned, as well as “trace elements”) to break down into energy. Very occasionally, like once every several months, and his system is efficient enough that the quantity need not be very large.
In a primitive setting, when he is nearly forced into stasis from lack of these nutrients, he finally manages to find the elements he needs, in the form of one pear and a couple of nuts. And that will be enough to keep him going for several months. Other bio-functions that are discussed in that book include how his eyes produce “tears” to keep them clean, and thus he needs to occasionally drink water as well.
He doesn’t mention if or how he pees or poops, but it would stand to reason that there’s a system to take care of that as well.