How does what we believe effect what we eat? One belief is to choose foods to eat that are healthy. There are differences in what foods are viewed as healthy. For us, we eat a whole foods plant-based diet because we believe it is the healthiest diet on the planet. Eating whole foods (the less processed the better), including lots of greens, vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains, nuts and seeds, no animals products and no oils. We believe that animal foods are the biggest contributor to human disease. We believe that food is fuel for the body so we eat food that is consistent with that belief. Another view of eating foods that are considered healthy is eating animals in order to get enough of certain nutrients, such as protein, calcium and iron. Some believe these nutrients can only be found in sufficient quantity if consumed in animal foods. They don’t understand that we can get all the nutrients we need from a plant-based diet.
Vegans don’t eat any animals foods and also abstain from the use of animal products. A vegan’s behavior is clearly based on his belief system. For vegans the compassion for animals is the key aspect, not health. A vegan diet could consist of Oreo’s, potato chips and soda, which is vegan but not healthy.
Many people eat as a way of connecting with others. It’s the belief that food is necessary in order to connect with each other. If we don’t eat what they eat then we won’t be able to connect with them.
Comfort food is food that makes us happy or feel better. It can be nostalgic or of sentimental value, like grandma’s homemade apple pie. Or it can be food we eat to celebrate, or when we are sad, depressed, lonely or have experienced a breakup. We don’t eat it because we are trying to eat healthy or fuel the body. We eat it for emotional reasons. It’s usually unhealthy.
What we believe greatly influences what we eat. What do you believe about food and how is your belief effecting the way you eat?