When Did I Become A Foodie?
When did eating go from being the last thing you want to do to the thing you live to do? I am a person who lives to eat. I love to eat. I eat when I am happy. I eat when I am sad. I eat when I am mad. You get the picture. I have been called an emotional eater but I think that classification fits someone who eats with abundance on occasion. I eat with abundance on all occasions.
I recently began reflecting on when my foodie status started. When did I begin to really enjoy food? At some point in my life eating was the very last thing I wanted to do. At some point in my life playing, running, skipping and jumping took priority over everything. Sitting still at the table was the worst! “Mom can I go outside and play?” Her response: “Not until you finish your dinner!”
At what age did things shift? At what age did other things slowly or maybe suddenly lose their interest? I am always amazed at how children find sitting and eating to be pure torture. They squiggle and squirm and pout over the plate in front of them. Most parents have to negotiate a meal. “Please take two more bites and then you can play your video game.” How many of you have used that line? I’m pretty sure everyone has negotiated something with a toddler to get them to finish their meal.
I’ve been thinking about this question for a while now. I have to admit I still have not quite figured out the answer. Is it that kids are so full of energy that all they want to do is play? That may be part of the reason but I think there is something more to it. I think that as we grow older life takes over. Sitting still at the table is suddenly not so bad (depending on the company of course). Sitting still at the table is a welcome break from the day and a chance to take a moment to enjoy something. As we grow older our days are not filled with playing. Our days are filled with school and work and chores etc.
Many people I have worked with over the years begin planning their lunch hour about five minutes after they walk in the door. Why? Because it is the only highlight of a monotonous day. I’m not suggesting that every meal is unhealthy. Most of the people I eat lunch with tend to eat on the light side because returning to the office with a full belly only makes you sleepy instead of productive.
Eating becomes the event rather than the prelude to the event. Is there a way that we can replace food with events that we enjoy? Are there things that you enjoy that provide you with the same type of enjoyment that food provides?
I recently began walking during my lunch hour. I eat my lunch when I get back from my walk. My lunch hour has become more about walking and less about my meal. By making small adjustments here and there I hope to shift to a happy medium where eating is not always the highlight of my day.
I embrace my foodie status. I’m simply striving to be a healthier foodie.
*Photo courtesy of The W.H.O.L.E. Gang
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Herner — April 6, 2010 @ 8:53 PM
One thing a wise foodie’s boyfriend once told her about his outlook on his eating habits, which she then told me is we should eat to live, not live to eat. Yes, that big slab of chocolate cake with ice cream or that juicy burger is hard to resist however, it should not be a necessity throughout one’s day. But on the flip-side, if you deprive yourself of yummy treats/BIG fat burgers (every once in a while), you will have forgotten what a treat tastes like, give in to temptation and eat so much of it that eventually, you will live to eat. Have and enjoy these things in moderation. And to change up a monotonous day, change the radio station! =)
Wendy replied: — April 7th, 2010 @ 9:20 PM
Shannon I think the balance you strive to achieve is healthy. Eat to live not live to eat.
Deb I like the term food enthusiast or food fan. Writing about food has definitely transformed my outlook on food.
Tracy I’ll have to take your word for it that you’ve ever been in a bad mood because I’ve never seen it. Oh and I need to hang out with you on the weekend when all bets are off:)
Premo (btw what is your real name?) saw the baby pic. You were a cutie. I would say are a cutie but you haven’t shown your face on Twitter yet!
Herner — April 6, 2010 @ 8:54 PM
Oh, and I became a foodie May 1, 2009!
Deborah Smith — April 7, 2010 @ 6:36 PM
I think when I started writing about food (2007) is when people started calling me a foodie. Not all people who love food are “foodies.” I don’t even want to be considered a foodie. For one thing, people are afraid now to invite me over to dinner because I do restaurant reviews. I never want invitations to be discouraged. I prefer the term food enthusiast. Or, hey, food fan. My love of food is more in the actual preparation of the food. Creating recipes and discovering new tastes, ingredients. Entertaining is to me an absolute joy. To my mother, it was terrifying. She still marvels at my food infatuation. What can I say? it’s relaxing and creative. That’s why I love food.
Tracy — April 7, 2010 @ 7:11 PM
I have to say i love to eat! I like ice cream, cookies and just about anything that taste good. Just the thought of a peice of cheese cake at home can make me happy all day long! Over the years I have made changes on the way that I eat though, I try to eat balanced meals during the week and eat sweats in moderation along with excercise and then on Fridays and Saturdays all bets are off.. haha
I have to say i do love food though. Everytime i have been on a diet in my life, I have been in a bad mood…
premo765 — April 7, 2010 @ 8:23 PM
See my baby picture? That’s when I became a foodie but instead of being fed now I feed.