Why Eating Makes You Happy
As my first blog post it seemed fitting to talk about why we eat. Aside from the usual talk about how we need food for our health and strength, we eat because it feels good. It feels good to eat tasty foods; and guess what? It’s supposed to.
Food causes a normal response where dopamine is released in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in our reward center, meaning it affects our feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. It truly makes our brains happy.
Even more than the biological response, food is an essential part of our everyday interactions. It is how we spend time with loved ones and how we connect with people we just met. When I think about food and the importance in my life, I think about family meals, first dates, and drinks with the girls.
I used to think that my love for food made me weak. It was a lack of self-control. I would make myself wait until I couldn’t stand it before I had my first meal of the day; to me this was strength. In reality, I was depriving my body of something it needed. I wasn’t being strong; I was being harmful. As a dietitian I have learned all of the good that comes from food. I have spent my entire education learning why I need to eat. But beyond all of the physiological reasons to eat, one rises above… It makes us happy.
Growing up my family had dinner together every night. Despite how incredibly busy everyone was, this was a priority in our house. Now when I go home to visit, it’s what I look forward to the most. It was our time to share and get to know each other.
As an adult it’s not only about the eating, but also the cooking. I have grown to love the act of cooking, trying new recipes, and creating my own. Cooking is something that me and my boyfriend get to enjoy together. Much like family dinners it gives us a time to talk and grow together. We get to try new things and learn what each other likes.
Food is so much more than just nutrients we put into our body. It’s our memories, our culture, and our way of connecting. Next time you are worried about that extra cookie or that breakfast date with a friend, remember that just like the time we spend with others, food is meant to be enjoyed not restricted.
Rather than worrying about a few extra calories, savor them.
Eats with Erin 
Can’t wait to read more!
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Erin! So wonderfully stated! My company has the philosophy (culture,) that our caregiving is wholistic. We’re not just a “wax on wax off caregiving agency.” Our service to our clients centers around the entirety of “client safety.” The means, physical, environmental, emotional and nutritional “safety.” Lifespan has all generations of caregivers from early baby boomers to millennials and.. now the next generation, “Generation X.” Engaging all of my caregivers where it relates to the wholistic support of our clients is key to well rounded service to the client. I have a cooking training coming up and would like to use your words on “Why eating makes you happy.” I would give you all credit for such a perfect explanation of “Why eating makes you happy,” and share your blog site with my staff. If I could. Along with the importance of service to our clients, it’s also equally important to how they take care of themselves. Lifespan’s caregiver population is nearly 50/50 “boomers to other generations,” with all sorts of personal experiences around food, nutrition and eating. I think, especially for my X-gens, millennials and Z-gen caregivers, reading a blog from someone who’s closer to their age and is accomplished professionally in the world of nutrition would be valuable and effective to build their understanding of what food, eating and nutrition really means from a cultural and generational perspective.
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Hi Jen, I love that you have people from different generations to care for your clients! I think learning to care for people is challenging, but such an important part of life that many people never get the chance to experience. I am so touched that you would like to use my article; you can absolutely use it and share my blog. I appreciate the support! Thank you for reading!
Erin 🙂
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Great Article Erin!
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Thank you for reading!
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