Food is an integral part of my life, not only because I’m a nutrition student that one day plans to make a career in this field, but because I strongly believe in the saying: ‘You are what you eat’ (Today I had Mexican food, if you care to know). Each day of my life is centered on 3 important events: breakfast, lunch, and dinner; everything else is secondary. Now, while this may be a little dramatic, it is nevertheless true that making food, eating food, reading about food, etc, etc, is an important part of my life. In this train of thought I got to thinking about the part that food has to play in our lives. It’s not just a source of sustenance; it’s so much more than that. For instance, most social get-togethers are never complete without food: a super bowl party without a tailgate…yes, unthinkable I know! Or, a coffee date with friends to catch up after a long time spent apart; would it have been the same without the Caramel Macchiato in your hands? Or, would a first date be quite the same without a romantic dinner at a restaurant?
I think people often give an insufficient amount of importance to food; how many times have you heard your friends or family members say things like: ‘I was so busy, I forgot to eat lunch today’? Now this upsets me not only because of my background in nutrition, as I now understand the physiological effects of skipping a meal, but also because people routinely discount the fact that food is not just a ‘meal’ to be eaten, but an experience to be enjoyed. This is why I admire the Europeans so much; they’re doing things right; fiestas and long leisurely lunches and dinners, where company and conversation are abundant. Here I think the saying ‘you are what you eat’ is seen at its zenith. In our North American society, convenience and efficiency are the order of the day (no pun intended), hence, we find ourselves eating prepackaged food, fast food, or restaurant food. Does this not then make us plastic, and mass produced? Again, possibly a little dramatic, but in comparison to the European ideal where meals are prepared fresh and are enjoyed in the company of friends, and where time is actually set aside for eating, our North American food system seems a little, for lack of a better word, blah. Now, don’t misunderstand; I’m as much a fan of a McMeal as the next person, I just value balance and variety, something I think that we often lose in the constant struggle to save time.
As a student in the nutrition field, I think it’s my responsibility to educate people not only on the nutritional benefits of good, healthful eating, but also the psychological benefits as well. I know for me personally, going out to lunch with family, or cooking a meal at home with good friends relaxes my soul and creates an atmosphere of peace and contentment. I don’t think I’m alone in the thinking that food is an integral part of the human experience. If you’re still not convinced, ponder for a minute the number of old wives’ tales, idioms, sayings and expressions that revolve around food metaphors. The list really is endless, but I can start you off with a few that I was able to remember:
- Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
- Comparing apples and oranges
- Bringing home the bacon
- An apple a day keeps the doctor away
- Don’t cry over spilled milk
- I’ve got beef
- He’s/She’s a few pickles short of a jar
- Bite me!
- Too many cooks spoil the broth
- Apple of my eye
- That’s no small potatoes
- I’m going bananas
- Have your cake and eat it too
- A watched pot never boils
- One bad apple spoils the bunch
- The greatest thing since sliced bread
I’m off to plan my lunch for tomorrow, so I bid you all good eating. I invite you to add to my list; I’m always looking for more! And next time you’re thinking about skipping a meal, just remember: A well-cooked duck gathers no moss.
