What Does Food Mean to Me?
My Relationship With Food
Growing up, my parents taught me not to waste food.
I should be grateful and eat everything on my plate, because there are hungry children in third world countries.
Those who are less fortunate don’t have that luxury. Food to them is a means for survival.
I’ve been fortunate to be able to eat to live and to live to eat. I got to eat at buffets and restaurants.
Food became a part of my family’s tradition or celebration.
Almost every month there was a birthday or holiday like Lunar New Year, Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas to celebrate with food.
In the early 2000's, I remember almost every week I would eat with my family or extended family at either Hometown Buffet or a Chinese restaurant.
Then, we started going to Souplantation, and I ate a lot of muffins and chicken noodle soups.
In 2017 and 2018, we went out and ate Korean BBQ frequently.
During my college and post college years, the meaning of food has evolved to something more.
Food was part of a social gathering outside of school and work to hang out with classmates and coworkers and maybe to celebrate an important event like a birthday, wedding, or graduation.
Buying food or drinks was an act of gift giving to express that one person cared for or appreciated another person.
Food can be bland and limiting when your body is sensitive to certain foods.
Food with little or no nutritional value can be tasty and tempting.
Lately, when I go to the supermarket, I’ve been comparing food labels and trying to opt for the healthier alternative, because I am not as young as I was, and I cannot eat as much as I want or whatever I want without repercussions.
Key Message: Regardless of the circumstance, food has meaning.
If you read this far, thanks for reading! What does food mean to you?
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