Maybe Food is Love - Rachel Myhre, MS, RD, CD

Food, Relationships and Love

 

At the core of the human heart -- indicative of an innate longing -- is a desire for connection. Connection with people. The words and life of Christopher McCandless capture this notion well. The24-year old hiker -- who ventured into the Alaskan wilderness, desiring a time in solitude – stated these words near the end of his life: “Happiness is only real when shared.” [Italics mine]The very wildness that would take his life, exposed his profound realization. A realization that rings true for so many.

Although unique to each individual, the desire for genuine relationships, connection and love is safe to assert. And may we pause to reflect on the fact that human connection is unattainable separate from the building blocks of life which sustain it.

“Everyone runs on food. Every hug, every kiss, every page ever written is because of food. Without food there is no life. Everyone has to eat! I was so disconnected from the real purpose of food as nutrition and so focused on the emotional uses of food that I forgot that we all run on food. This was an important realization in my recovery and still strikes me as important.” –TA ¹

How often do we become disconnected from the primary purpose of food and nutrition that we overlook the fact that food is fundamental to life? And thus fundamental to connection. This is not breaking news to anyone I am sure. And yet, how often do we neglect the role of food as nourishment? And letexpectations, diets, fears or destructive habits pertaining to foodbecame our focus? How often do we trust our innate ability tolovingly fuel our body?

In the midst of this appreciation, we acknowledge thatconnection can be stirred by a candlelit dinner. We acknowledge that memorable holidays and celebrations would not be the same without the food traditions that enrich them.

Food nourishes our body in a way that is vital to life.Connection nourishes our soul in a way that breathesrelationship, meaning and love into our existence. Our experience with food can never replace the genuine connection we experience with people. And connection with people, alone,cannot sustain our lives. So let us embrace the relationships and love that are beside us. And may the nourishment of your bodyset the stage for the nourishment of your soul.

 

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8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder. Carolyn Costin &Gwen Schubert Grabb