Food Views: What’s important?

Hi, my name is Lindsay and I am a Nutrition Manager. Really, I am. I just never talk about it much anymore. In fact, I majored in Nutrition in college (sheesh almost 10 years ago!) and then took on a few other nutrition certifications through AASDN post college. I have worked with athletes (ahem…my husband), I have worked with kids, I have worked with you’re average Joe. But recently, I have taken a step back in the Nutrition department, for now at least.

Hmmm. why is that?

First, after going through a series of digestive problems for the past few year, I needed to focus on my own nutrition, not others. Now that I am finally healing and gaining, you’d think I’d be ready to refocus on nutrition. Well for one, I don’t have enough time in the day, especially if I want to continue Healthy Bites and be a sherpa wife (my passion).

And two, I’ma little disappointed. Disappointed in the way our society is seeing food.

Fuel and nourishment and enjoyment (think taste buds here) is often overlooked.

Instead we see a focus on calories, and sometimes not even the good kind. Or better yet, the more bang for your buck approach.

I cannot tell you the number of times I open up a magazine or email to read the words “cut calories now, suppress your appetite this way, or get skinny now!”

Where have we gone wrong??

I just finished a devotional about being “Hungry for God, Biblical reflections on Food.” The way God intended food to be viewed and to be used.

You know what that view is?

Food is a gift. Food is how we live, thrive, and fellowship with each other.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to throw away gifts of such value, or degrade it’s purpose. No, I want to be THANKFUL and CHERISH the value of it.

Eat to live…. to LOVE…on others.. with others…. breaking bread… saying cheers…

Sure, I still have food intolerances, and I choose not to eat this or that for my overall well being, but the last thing I want food to be is idol. I don’t think we should put our purpose in FOOD. Instead, let’s be purposeful with our FOOD. Using it as fuel, as nourishment, as a way to care or say thank you to others, and to ENJOY!!! Yes ENJOY!

You see, I am pretty lucky. I married a man who HAS to use food as fuel. Not one day goes by that he really “stresses” over food. He just stays in tune with what his body needs. And thankfully, by God’s provision, those needs are ALWAYS met, whether it be with a home cooked meal I just made or a Cadbury cream egg that snuck it’s way into my grocery basket (whoops).

Now, I must go. Dinner is to be made and a glass of wine just might be poured! You better believe I am thankful for that.

Do you think we need to change the view of food in our society? What’s your take?

Cheers,

LC

Tagged as: faith, food for thought, nourishment, views