The Meaning of Food

bjshields

Hello, campers! I am currently studying for my personal training certificate while getting my own behind back into shape (back from a 12 now to a 10, working toward a 7/8, which will be in sight after another round of ChaLEAN Extreme, Turbo Fire and P90X2 in January).

With all the emphasis on exercise, I am really starting to read up on food and nutrition. I was reading a book the other day on my Nook that basically said, there are two legitimate reasons to eat: one is for fuel, the other is for flavor.

I have to say, I am a little stumped by this. Saying "Food is fuel" is akin to saying "Sex is for making babies" to me. Where's the fun? Where's the passion? Where's the sheer enjoyment of eating?

So my question to you is, what is the meaning of food to you? Is there such a thing as a legitimate and illegitimate use of food? How do we determine what those are? Can we enjoy our food and have good health and beautiful bodies, too? Here's to great food!:drinker:

HMonsterX

I have to say, I am a little stumped by this. Saying "Food is fuel" is akin to saying "Sex is for making babies" to me. Where's the fun? Where's the passion? Where's the sheer enjoyment of eating?

So my question to you is, what is the meaning of food to you? Is there such a thing as a legitimate and illegitimate use of food? How do we determine what those are? Can we enjoy our food and have good health and beautiful bodies, too? Here's to great food!:drinker:

Omg...

Finally! Thank you! FOOD IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST CALORIES AND NUTRIENTS! It's called flavour! Taste! Enjoyment! The problem most of us here had is we took it to extremes, hence our weight gain. When we learn to eat in moderation, eat the fun stuff too! Don't just eat rabbit food! :drinker:

MikeSEA

"Food" or even the "purpose of food" is a little tricky to talk about. We either end up being too general to be all that accurate, or too specific to be all that useful, imho.

Food is like a sex in that it serves a biological function. It also serves psychological social functions--I would guess that's true for everyone. It's taken me decades to get over how food was used in my family while growing up. We ate to celebrate, and we ate to mourn. Long story short, there was a lot of eating, and it had nothing to do with our bodies being healthy.

Finding balance between those uses of food has been problematic for me, but I'm making progress.

MB_Positif

You say that the book on your nook (haha) said that food is for fuel and flavor. I don't get the question. It says flavor which means you are allowed to eat food that tastes good. What it doesn't say is eat to overeat, thus the food for fuel concept. Eat yummy food for fuel. That is all.

MinnieInMaine

I'm a total foodie and make dinner every night for a man who doesn't care about his calories. Believe me, you can have that perspective (food is fuel) and still enjoy eating it too! The trick is to stil make and enjoy the foods you love but tweak your recipes a bit to make them healthier (bulk with veggies not pasta, use leaner meats etc) and learn proper portions and eat right throughout the day so you don't stuff yourself at one meal.

I've also found better options for snacking like all natural greek yogurt in the afternoon and an apple with lunch instead of chips. The food is still good and it's way better for you. It's all in how you look at it.

ETA - to answer one of your other questions, yes, I think there are illegitimate uses for food, like emotional eating. When you think about it, it's a very strange reaction to being sad, mad, bored, lonely and/or stressed. Why turn to food? It doesn't solve anything, in fact, it may make you feel worse in the end. I know I used to think if I was tired or stressed that candy was the answer because sugar gives you energy, right? Well sure, for about 10 minutes then you're tired again. Useless...

HMonsterX

I'm a total foodie and make dinner every night for a man who doesn't care about his calories. Believe me, you can have that perspective (food is fuel) and still enjoy eating it too! The trick is to stil make and enjoy the foods you love but tweak your recipes a bit to make them healthier (bulk with veggies not pasta, use leaner meats etc) and learn proper portions and eat right throughout the day so you don't stuff yourself at one meal.

I've also found better options for snacking like all natural greek yogurt in the afternoon and an apple with lunch instead of chips. The food is still good and it's way better for you. It's all in how you look at it.

But for many of us, bulking it with veggies makes it taste horrible. Same with snacking. If you like the healthier alternatives more, good for you! Some of us don't, so we have the nice things. Which is fine, if eaten in moderation! Remember, a calories is not just a unit of energy, its a unit of taste! :bigsmile:

MinnieInMaine

Remember, a calories is not just a unit of energy, its a unit of taste! :bigsmile:

I like that!