In contrasts with the word "metaphorical."
It also contrasts with "literal," or "physiological," which would, I think, imply having certain measurable characteristics ---e.g. body temperature, diffusion of gases through membranes, etc.
No, once again the Lord is stating the it is indeed meat and drink, not in what manner it was, but which He does reveal, with souls living by His word as He lived by the Father, (Jn. 6:57) by the word of god, thus the doing of it was His by "meat" which his disciples knew not of. (Jn. 4:32-34) and with His words being spirit and life. (Jn. 6:63)
Christ Himself is indeed the word of God, and the word of God is actually what is called "meat" and "drink" (milk) which (as received) regenerate , nourishes, and builds up, and nowhere is the Lord's supper the means of obtaining spiritual life in oneself. Thus by making the flesh and blood referred to out to be something physically consumed by which one obtains spiritual life in oneself then you are "indeed" "really" truly" reading into the text a teaching which Scripture does not teach!
Ah; Grasshopper...
...you are getting it!
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
1 John 3:21-24
Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.