Milica's Chronicle
Love at first bite?
Food. A four letter word that has had a significant impact on shaping many cultures. When we think about food, we usually think of it as a mean of survival. Sure, we do need protein, carbohydrate, fat, minerals and vitamins to survive, but do we ever stop to think about the influence of food on our societies and our daily routines?
Different approaches can be taken when discussing food. We can talk about it from the point of view of psychology, sociology, economy, medicine, history... One thing is for sure though; everyday life revolves around food. You eat before work/school in order to have the energy to be productive. During the day, you have several breaks which are meant for you to have a snack or lunch. Evenings are reserved for dinner, whether you decide to eat at a local fast-food restaurant or to have a meal at home with your whole family. Even if you are not fond of indulging in food as much, your daily timetable is designed according to the meals you might take.
In modern societies, old is perceived differently than in the past. Before, food has played a greater role in the family. Meals were the opportunity for the family to gather together three times a day, express their gratitude (usually through prayers) and talk about the events that occurred throughout the day. With industrialisation taking place, food has lost its value in many cultures. Fast food has completely changed our view on eating. It is arguable that family members are now more distant from each other, as it is not as common today to see families gather together for every meal. As our eating habits are changing, so is our culture and our relationships with other people (especially family members).
On the other hand, food has helped deepen the knowledge about other societies. International food has become a huge part of the popular culture. Restaurants serving Chinese, Indian, Mexican, Italian and Lebanese food are very common in most metropolises. Supermarkets are filled with products from all over the world: Italian cheese, Indian spices, Swiss chocolate, Chinese noodles, English tea… Moreover, with the standard of living on the rise, travelling has become more frequent. In order to understand the local culture better, many tourists try out new food. By doing so, people learn how rituals regarding food vary drastically from place to place. One thing is for sure: it is necessary to know what role food plays in each society in order to fully understand different cultures.
Lastly, food is the key factor of our health and well-being. The saying “you are what you eat” exists for a reason. Without a proper, nutritious diet, our health (both physical and mental) will not be as great. Even if you are one of those people who can eat as much as they want without gaining a single pound, it does not mean that it is okay to binge eat sweets and burgers. Health does not only manifest itself on the outside, but on the inside as well; your immune system will probably suffer, which will make you more prone to viruses and infections.
Nevertheless, we can agree that food is responsible not only for our well-being, but also for the way our societies function.
‘Till the next issue,
Milica Mijailovic