Eating is Not a Sport

           For most of us, food is something we take for granted. It entertains, occupies, or even sedates us. Eating takes the place of social interaction for some people; for others, it is a replacement for love. Eating can even be an addiction.

But if we in the United States want to remain healthy, we must change such attitudes about food. We must recognize food for what it is: fuel for the body. I’m not saying that food can never be anything but fuel for the body, but a healthy attitude about food recognizes that, first and foremost, food is fuel. Food can occasionally serve other purposes—as in celebrations or rituals—but only secondarily.

I know a woman who is married to a diplomat and who travels around the world. She told me one day how amazing it is that Americans have such easy access to food, day or night. The US is a nation used to 24-hour convenience. She felt that this was the reason that so many people here are obese—it’s just so easy to get food. She told me that, in many countries she had lived in, there are no convenience stores—there is no “quick stop” for food, snacks, and sodas. Restaurants open twenty-four hours a day are rare or nonexistent, and stores don’t carry the abundance of foods we expect and get here. But while we are blessed with so many choices, we may be taking this abundance for granted, and endangering our health at the same time.

It’s thought that eating less increases life expectancy, and in most cases decreases the chances of disease. I’m not talking about eating so little that you qualify as having an eating disorder, but about eating fewer calories at each meal than you probably do now—about paying attention to the size of the portions you eat, eating balanced meals, and cutting out snacking.

I’m also talking about being conscious of what and how much you eat. When you get the urge to snack, ask yourself: Why? Are you really hungry, or are you filling some other need? An urge to eat can be caused by a low level of certain brain chemicals or an imbalance in blood chemicals. If you find yourself eating all the time, talk to your doctor about looking at possible biochemical reasons for your overeating.

If you crave certain foods, have a nutritionist check up on what your diet may be lacking. I find that people who crave fast foods often lack Omega 3 fatty acids in their diet; by taking an essential fatty acid supplement, they get rid of the cravings. If you eat to fill an emotional need, counseling may be of help. If you eat because you’re bored (many people do), get a hobby or do volunteer work. If you eat merely because the food is there, don’t bring junk food home.

Don’t eat on the run—set aside time to eat. I know that this can be a challenge in today’s busy world, but begin with at least one meal a day and work your way up to more, as you can. Taking time out for a meal doesn’t mean you have to sit at the table for hours. It does mean sitting down and taking enough time to taste your food and chew it thoroughly—in short, it means eating in a relaxed manner. And when you do, turn off the TV—look at what you’re eating.

Give fueling your body the respect it deserves—after all, everything you eat is going to be transformed into you. That amazing fact deserves some attention. As you become more aware of this transformation and truly acknowledge it, you may find yourself becoming a little more choosy about what you eat.

If you appreciate your food as fuel first, it will have even more meaning when you use food to celebrate. Food is entertainment when you cook a gourmet meal and share it with friends. Food is celebration when you observe holidays with traditional foods, such as a big turkey dinner for Thanksgiving. There’s nothing wrong with occasionally using food for entertainment or celebration or even comfort, as long as it’s the exception, not the rule.

The next time you’re tempted to overindulge in a meal or to buy and consume junk food, consider giving to your local food bank instead. Rather than filling your stomach with unnecessary food, fill your heart with the spirit of giving. It will add to your chances of living a healthier life.