Why "Food Is Fuel" Is Failing Us
"Food is fuel" is a well-known wellness phrase that may sound innocent, but it’s no different than all the other narratives propped up by diet culture that try to take control of how we eat.
While food does fuel our bodies, it’s also so much more than just calories. So, how can we learn to stop seeing food as just the sum of its parts — and start to tap back into our taste buds?
The value of food beyond calories
When people focus only on metrics (counting calories or macros), they don’t necessarily eat better “because they have taken away the fun,” says Charlotte Markey, PhD, a psychology professor at Rutgers University and the author of “The Body Image Book” series. And when you take away the fun, it pressures people to eat things they dislike, leaving them dissatisfied and potentially leading to binging.
Plus, it’s a boring way to live, says Markey. There's so much more to food that we may take for granted. One example is the primal pleasure you get from eating something you love, according to Markey. To prove this point, Markey asks her students to think of adjectives that apply to both food and sex, and spoiler, between “ravenous” and “spicy,” there’s a lot.
Food is also involved in all of the ways we socialize: how we celebrate, grieve, forge romances and friendships, and mark rituals. “Food is a way to pass down stories so we don’t forget the past,” says Dalina Soto, RD, LDN, the founder of Your Latina Nutritionist. One of the reasons we don’t forget is because “our brains are wired to associate certain foods and tastes and smells with memories,” adds Alissa Rumsey, MS, RD, author of “Unapologetic Eating” and owner of Alissa Rumsey Nutrition and Wellness. It’s this link that makes Rumsey excited to bake Christmas cookies with her mom this time of year and also why Soto loves “eating my Dominican foods and dancing the night away” on Noche Buena.
Make food fun again
It’s not always easy, and if you have a history of disordered eating, you’ll want to work with a professional before you launch into anything. But for those who want to rekindle the spark, here are some ideas:
Try to minimize guilt and shame. You probably won’t let yourself appreciate good food if you have any negative emotions about eating for pleasure, says Markey. One way to reduce guilt is by reframing your thinking every time your mind tries to label a food as “good” or “bad.”
Check in with yourself. Start by asking yourself what foods you’re craving right now, and then see if you can honor that, suggests Rumsey. Try to be aware and present as you eat, using all your senses. After you’re finished, check in again and notice how you feel, physically and emotionally. Being mindful at each step will help you discover how different foods make you feel.
Make a list of your favorite foods. They could be from your childhood, something you ate during a vacation, or a new food you recently discovered. Then eat it. Because you can.
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Eating a meal shouldn’t feel like a math problem. Food can be a catalyst for falling in love, reconnecting with a friend, or creating cherished memories. Think about that the next time you decide what goes on your plate.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute a medical opinion, medical advice, or diagnosis or treatment of any particular condition.
