Food For Thought

Have you ever seen babies and toddlers react when they are hungry or see food in their sight? Babies will cry and holler at the top of their lungs because they are hungry. When fed, they return to their peaceful adorable selves and might fall asleep. I recently watched some hilarious reels on Instagram about kids' reactions to food. There were babies and small children snatching food off plates or out of someone’s hand, sneaking into the fridge or cupboard to get a tasty treat. One little boy was caught standing on top of the open oven door trying to eat out of a pan of grilled meats he had pulled out of the oven. This made me question…why our desire for food brings unruliness.

I thought of myself and my appetite for good food and how it has led me to be a bonafide foodie (@tasteofazwithe_j). Over the years, my family and friends have joked about my food consumption, asking questions like, ‘Where do you put all that food’. Who doesn’t enjoy a delicious meal that satisfies their taste buds and makes their stomach smile? I certainly do and noticed that sometimes I will do a happy dance while eating. Why is that? I read an article that mentioned…A study conducted by researchers at the Max Plank Institute in Germany reveals that dopamine is secreted once when food is injected, and again when the food reaches the stomach. It also indicates the relationship between cravings and dopamine. The higher the craving, the higher is the reward of dopamine. Do you do anything out of the ordinary to express your enjoyment while eating?

Me enjoying good food!

Happiness in Eating

What is dopamine and how does it work? Mental Health America explains that dopamine connects feelings of pleasure to behavior to motivate action. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter released by brain neurons when you do something enjoyable or beneficial. Neurotransmitters send messages through your nervous system, and dopamine's message is "This is great! Let's remember this and do it again sometime!"

I had to laugh after reading this and its association with happiness in eating. I could imagine sharing this with my family and friends. They would probably add another joke like ‘your neurotransmitter might be on overdrive or dysfunctional when food is involved’. But that’s all right with me. Good food makes me happy :).

On the contrary, I have had my share of unappetizing food and a few food poisoning experiences. Those times made me more cautious before eating anything and anywhere. I learned to ask who, what, when, where, and how. Having this information helps me to make wiser dining choices.

Food: Passion or Obsession

Though food can be good and make me happy, I had to learn that my passion for food could become an obsession. How many of us have been ‘hangry’? You know the hybrid word created for us who appeared angry because we were hungry :D. Unfortunately, I must raise my hand and admit that in the past I was guilty of acting up if I was left hungry for too long.

There have also been plenty of times when I have overeaten but didn’t care because the meal was so delicious.  The worst occurrence I recall was as a teenager when my dad had prepared a mouthwatering dinner. Spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic toast, and fried shrimp was on the menu. My plate had plenty of food, likely enough for two people. As I began eating the spaghetti my taste buds were awakened by the explosion of flavors that hit my palate. After tasting the crispy, crunchy, fried shrimp I was hooked and ready to dive in for more. Experiencing the garlic toast was like being on the swings at the park on a beautiful sunshiny day. Savoring every bite, I kept eating until no evidence of food was left on my plate. My hunger had been quenched, but I felt disgusted afterward. I had overindulged big time. I could barely move because my stomach was extremely tight. However, I was able to get up slowly from the table, walk down the hallway to my room, and lay on my bed. I couldn’t lie down on my bulging stomach, so I had to lay on my back miserable and uncomfortable. I told myself I would never eat like that again.

While reminiscing, I took time to reflect on the moments I let my hunger cause me to act out of character. A few Bible stories also came to mind, like the infamous story about Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:1-7); the story of Esau who sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of lentil stew (Genesis 25:28-34); and how about those Israelites who grumbled and complained against God while in the wilderness because they desired the food they once had as slaves in Egypt (Numbers 11:4-6).

Foodie Redefined

So, as a foodie I had to ask myself a few questions: Do I need food to survive? Absolutely lol. Can I manage my response to hunger cravings? Yes, through self-control. What can I do that will no longer allow food to be an obsession? Take food away and present myself and this thing to God.

I learned to fast and pray in 2009, and it was one of the most liberating and empowering experiences. King stomach was conquered since I discovered how to rule over my hunger pains at any given moment and eat in moderation. Now my dining experiences are more appreciated and fulfilling while enjoying food as a gift from God.

Food might not be something in your life that makes you excited. Could it be cars, sports, beverages, your pet, etc.? Whatever it is, do you control it, or does it have control over you?

Comment below or email me...I would love to hear from you.

Bhirani, R. (2023, October 30). The joy of eating: Why our favourite foods bring our mood alive. Healthshots. https://www.healthshots.com/mind/happiness-hacks/can-make-food-make-people-happy-experts-tell-you-about-it/

What is dopamine?. Mental Health America. (n.d.). https://mhanational.org/what-dopamine