Eating. It’s one of those things we do on autopilot. As we are going about our daily lives, our stomach rumbles, signaling the thought, “I should probably eat something.” So, we pick out our next meal or snack.
“What sounds good?”, “What do I have time for?”, or “Sweet, I have leftovers!” And then we eat…and we move on about our day and repeat the cycle.
There is nothing wrong with that cycle. Heck, it is how we function and continue to survive as humans! But where is the fun, the pleasure, the JOY?
Yes, food nourishes us. Yes, food helps us stay alive. Yes, food is fuel. But food also has a lot of perks…and I don’t just mean micronutrients.
Here are 3 reasons food is rad:
Reason #1: Food is tied to experiences and memories.
Remember that ice cream date you had with your grandpa when you were five? Isn’t it interesting that something as silly as mint chocolate chip could bring you back to the laughter shared between you and loved one?
Food connects us! If you celebrate any holidays, think about what stands out to you on those days. I’m sure your mashed potatoes with homemade gravy is delightful…but think about who you shared them with. What else was delightful from that day?
Reason #2: Food is creative.
Think about how many of the same foods are used in various cultures in completely different ways.
There’s constantly new talk about the latest and greatest “superfood,” but have you seen potatoes? They can be prepared a billion different ways…talk about a super power!
Cooking unleashes the imagination and has given us countless ways to enjoy food. You don’t have to like preparing food to experience the artistic and scientific innovations that come from cooking.
In today’s world, we can share this creativity with one another through so many channels – like food trucks, restaurants, cooking shows, and social media.
Reason #3: Food is emotional.
Let’s be real, diet culture has totally tried to stomp on this idea by insisting eating is strictly related to morals and morals only.
The good news is that food is tied to our emotions and that’s not a bad thing! Eating can bring genuine happiness to our lives and foster feelings of comfort, peace, and care.
It is amazing that food does so much for us. All of these things while also giving our bodies the nutrients we need to grow, develop, and live. How much cooler is it that eating goes way beyond that and fosters so many pleasurable, loving, and meaningful experiences?!
Now I’m nudging you to think about your own joys of eating. What are some positive memories you have surrounding food? Coffee date with your best friend, breakfast burrito after meeting your daughter for the first time, dinner at your favorite hometown restaurant on your first Winter break.
Let those memories serve as a reminder that eating fulfills many needs, beyond just the physiological ones. Cheers! Here’s to you food.
Savor. Cherish. Celebrate.