Food, in it’s most pure form, is a source of energy our bodies need to function and grow yet food is so much more. Food can represent many things for many people. In an effort to bring more happiness and joy to our lives I would like to address how to change how we use food to shame ourselves and others and how we can use food to bring us together.
At the beginning of the year, well, really throughout the year, Americans set out to lose weight. At some point in history we starting thinking skinnier is better and became a fat shaming nation. People who carry “extra” weight often judge themselves and feel judged by others. Somehow we chastise ourselves for the beautiful function of our bodies to store extra energy for use later. Why is that shame worthy? We don’t limit our shame to just bodies, we have been known to demonize different foods, too. That is the double whammy, we shame the food and ourselves for consuming it. Remember when is was better to eat butter instead of margarine, then it was better to eat margarine instead of butter. I don’t even know if that has been resolved. Are we ready to value ourselves and others regardless of what we weight or what we eat?
Let’s use food for good. Food is a powerful medium to bring people together. Sharing meals allows for conversations to begin or deepen. It can be awkward to meet new people but having food can break the ice. You can talk about the different dishes which can spark different topics of conversation.
Foods that are cooked at different times of the year can bring about joy when we think of that special dish. Definitely topics for reminiscing. “Remember those cookies that grandma made every Christmas?” Whether good or bad, it is fun to reminisce.
Food can help bridge racial boundaries. Adventurous eaters are excited to try new flavors allowing for a entry into conversation with people who do not share your same values or traditions. We can learn much from others. An early communication scholar Marshall McLuhan said, “We’re not quite sure who discovered water, but we’re pretty sure it wasn’t the fish” In other words, we become so comfortable in our own surroundings we can fail to see the value of others’ perspectives. Food can help us bridge that divide.
Recently, a dear friend made pozole for me. Not only was the soup delicious, the story behind it illustrated a way of life. The hominy was preserved the way the native people of what is now the Southwestern United States would have preserved their hominy and corn so it could be consumed throughout the winter. It was dried then reconstituted in the broth of the soup. The texture was chewy and hearty. The broth, chilies and pork were perfectly blended with the previously dried hominy. I learned a little history, a new recipe and another way to live more environmentally conscious. The memory of this meal with my friends brought me joy in the moment and continues to bring me joy every time I reminisce.
What are your food stories? How have you connected with others through food?