Conscious Choice: Food Logic

April 2008 | Locally Yours

Food Logic

You are what you eat, or do you eat what you already are?

By Jennifer Adler, M.S., C.N.

We have all heard the phrase “you are what you eat.” Meaning, that if you consume copious quantities of junk food, then supposedly you’ll end up with Snickers-bar arms and a potato chip bag for a belly. On the flip side, if you eat a diet full of wholesome foods, an apple-like complexion and taut muscles will follow.

This belief that healthful eating promotes a healthy body is based on the science that analyzes our body’s reaction to foods. The “you are what you eat” notion dates back to 1826 with Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, who wrote Physiologie du Gout, ou Meditations de Gastronomie Transcendante. There might be more to the complexity of food in relation to our bodies than originally thought. Another way of looking at the equation is this: Are we what we eat or do we eat what we already are? For example, if someone has anemia, does she have that condition because she feels lethargic and therefore gravitates toward foods low in iron, or do the foods she chooses cause the anemia? If we have an imbalance happening in our life, does that translate into our food choices? Or, do our food choices potentially cause the imbalance? Which comes first, the chicken or the ailment?

If we are burning our candle at both ends and lacking sweetness (happiness, joy, bliss) in our lives, could this create cravings to indulge in sweets in our diet to compensate? This adds a new spin for the numerous individuals in our culture who beat themselves up for their cravings and apparent lack of willpower. Are our physical bodies just doing the best they can to compensate for our emotional and mental imbalances? I have had many clients who feel absolutely overwhelmed with life and have little or no time for their own needs and happiness, and who then reward themselves after a long day with a pint of ice cream. This ice cream may be a short-term moment of pleasure to compensate for the pleasure that is lacking from the rest of their lives. Once their lives get more in balance, the ice cream may lose its importance.

Beyond the nutrients in food there are also the energetic components. What is our relationship to food and nourishment? As a nutritionist, I find this relationship to be incredibly intimate. We often place value on ourselves and others based on dietary choices and oftentimes this does not bode well for great self-esteem. We deem donuts as bad and kale as good. As Marc David states in his book Nourishing Wisdom, when we say to ourselves, “Don’t eat that food, it is bad for you,” what we often hear is, “I am a bad person for eating that food.” This internal dialogue is potentially very destructive. Consuming “bad” food does not make us bad people nor does eating “good” food make us good people. Food is neither good nor bad; it is neutral. Oftentimes our thoughts about the food and the stress response that is consequently created are more damaging than the food itself.

Consciousness is another immeasurable and crucial component of food. It is believed by many that food absorbs the energy of the person who prepares, serves or eats it. This is something that Buddhist monks have known for ages. In monasteries, cooks are held in very high regard because they are imparting their energy into the food for others to absorb. It is in the best interest of the community to have peaceful, loving cooks who prepare the meals and therefore help promote peace and love among the monks.
Culinary snapshot

The way we eat is often an accurate indicator of how we are living our lives and reflects our values and the cadence in which we move through life. One helpful question each of us can ask ourselves when choosing food is this: What is our intention behind the nutrition we select? Are we eating healthful foods from a fear of disease, fat or guilt, rather than a love of life?

Paying attention to our food choices (and what motivates them) has the potential to provide valuable insight and possibly facilitate change. Our food selections and the way we see ourselves are not in a static state. The food we eat will naturally change as we change. And, as our food selections change, so will our lives, but the intention behind our choices is vital.

Jennifer Adler, M.S., C.N., provides nutrition counseling at her private practice, Realize Health, www.realizehealth.com. She aspires to have the character of a stinky aged cheese as opposed to Velveeta.

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