Why Eating Makes You Happy

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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.