When I’m hungry, I eat.
I spent a lovely day recently going through family albums. I noticed that many of our photos, especially once photography became more accessible, revolved around meals and family gatherings. With my friends too, our photos are often taken with food. Obviously, then, food is an integral part of living. We share meals with the people that we love, and it binds us together. Everyone has a special dish that signifies home and comfort and love, everyone has a meal that means celebration. We have rituals that accompany our meals — setting places; using a favourite plate; telling the story (again) of what Aunt so-and-so did on that dinner...
There are people who spend a lot of effort trying to remove the fun from eating. They don’t do it by simply decrying food; instead they turn food into an enemy. They “reimagine” traditional foods; they add “twists” and they talk about “improving” items, making them “healthy”. Because it’s not about really changing eating habits, it’s about buying into a mindset. I’ve met fewer people trying to convert me to their religion than self-appointed food quacks pushing the latest fads. There is no day that doesn’t include some “nutritional advice” that is at best questionable. I’ve been inundated with ads for “alkaline water” ; miracle weight loss foods and medications; “better than chemotherapy” foods and so on... the lists of things to eat that will transform your life are less variable only than those touting “you’ve been eating the wrong foods your whole life.” I’m old enough to have lived through “eggs are the best food,” to “eggs will kill you,” to “eggs are the best food.” Now there are volumes on the evils of sugar, and the aisles are filled with “sugar alternatives” — which, nutritionally, are the equivalent of sugar, but touted as “healthy.” There are also poseurs... I was at dinner once when a diner at another table said to the waitress, “I can’t have any garlic, onions, peppers or most spices. Could I please have the pepper beef?” Please just stop it.
There is no need to create imitations of foods, or to pretend that it’s something it’s not. Incidentally, did you know that there are cookbooks about “sneaking” vegetables into dishes? There is no need for “mock chicken” or “tofurkey”. NONE. If you’re eating a vegan or vegetarian diet, then please do. If you are trying to replicate meat with a look-alike, then perhaps you need to reassess your menus. What that says to me is that there is a greater need to teach people how to cook and to season foods than almost anything else. But, you say, I have food allergies. So do I. Your best bet for managing your allergies are in avoiding triggers, not pushing everyone else to convert to your habits. It is far preferable to alert your host in advance of your restrictions, so that they can plan accordingly.
Here’s the thing. There is no food that will grant immunity or immortality. If you enjoy something, then eat it. If it bothers you, don’t. Start with small servings, and stop eating when you’re full. Eat a mixture of foods, and try new things regularly. How much simpler do you need things? Now, I’m off to enjoy the deliciousness that is food!
There are people who spend a lot of effort trying to remove the fun from eating. They don’t do it by simply decrying food; instead they turn food into an enemy. They “reimagine” traditional foods; they add “twists” and they talk about “improving” items, making them “healthy”. Because it’s not about really changing eating habits, it’s about buying into a mindset. I’ve met fewer people trying to convert me to their religion than self-appointed food quacks pushing the latest fads. There is no day that doesn’t include some “nutritional advice” that is at best questionable. I’ve been inundated with ads for “alkaline water” ; miracle weight loss foods and medications; “better than chemotherapy” foods and so on... the lists of things to eat that will transform your life are less variable only than those touting “you’ve been eating the wrong foods your whole life.” I’m old enough to have lived through “eggs are the best food,” to “eggs will kill you,” to “eggs are the best food.” Now there are volumes on the evils of sugar, and the aisles are filled with “sugar alternatives” — which, nutritionally, are the equivalent of sugar, but touted as “healthy.” There are also poseurs... I was at dinner once when a diner at another table said to the waitress, “I can’t have any garlic, onions, peppers or most spices. Could I please have the pepper beef?” Please just stop it.
There is no need to create imitations of foods, or to pretend that it’s something it’s not. Incidentally, did you know that there are cookbooks about “sneaking” vegetables into dishes? There is no need for “mock chicken” or “tofurkey”. NONE. If you’re eating a vegan or vegetarian diet, then please do. If you are trying to replicate meat with a look-alike, then perhaps you need to reassess your menus. What that says to me is that there is a greater need to teach people how to cook and to season foods than almost anything else. But, you say, I have food allergies. So do I. Your best bet for managing your allergies are in avoiding triggers, not pushing everyone else to convert to your habits. It is far preferable to alert your host in advance of your restrictions, so that they can plan accordingly.
Here’s the thing. There is no food that will grant immunity or immortality. If you enjoy something, then eat it. If it bothers you, don’t. Start with small servings, and stop eating when you’re full. Eat a mixture of foods, and try new things regularly. How much simpler do you need things? Now, I’m off to enjoy the deliciousness that is food!
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