I think food effects people's moods in subtle ways. I regret that it took me about 20 years to realise my relationship with food was terrible. Partly it must be the nutrients involved. Partly it's the sensation. And partly it's the emotional impact. For example, if you eat a burger and fries, health merits put aside, it's comforting. That is food that makes you feel cuddled. But it's also food that can make you feel heavy. Is feeling heavy a reason to be depressed? Maybe.
Suppose you were served a plate with two slices of apple and a banana sticking up out of them. It looks like a fruit penis on a plate. Health merits aside, does that meal make you happier than eating the same ingredients just thrown on a plate? It might do. It might make you feel full of laughter and put you in a playful, flirty mood. Children like to buy ham that looks like a bear's face or a dinosaur. The image of food seems to be almost as important as the taste.
Some people say food is fuel, nothing more, nothing less. But I just made myself scrambled eggs and they have put me in a really good mood. If I'd have had a fried egg, sure, it'd be nice but it'd be greasier, leaving a more unpleasant texture in my mouth. The look of the scrambled egg somehow makes it seem more magical too. Scrunched up little yellow balls.
Maybe I'm just easily pleased! I wonder though if it's the case that a lot of people overeat because they're bored by their food. If you mainly eat burgers, fries, potatoes and meat, and that kind of thing food must never really spark your imagination. But if you ate, say, a vodka-soaked lettuce and roasted cashnew nut salad, I think you'd be more likely to not eat as much because you're appreciating food on a more challenging level. It might not taste quite as nice sometimes but it is more of an experience and I think that's what we all want. If you have grappled with your food, looked at it and wondered how on earth to eat it, been confused about how to chew it, you're going to be more satisfied. You've been entertained.
That seems to be what has driven French food. Food was designed to blow people's minds. It was used as a political weapon to seduce old enemies into becoming new friends. A way of showing off France's apparent civilization and wonders.
There's also something to be said for food that is made to appear unappetizing. It will encourage people sitting at the table to talk more. If the food looks and tastes absolutely fantastic people are probably just going to tuck into it like pigs at a trough. Just some thoughts I wanted to share. Anyone want to talk about it?
23 Jul 2009, 5:20 pm
