Food as Fuel

[Guest guest]

I wonder how others feel about this (food as fuel idea). First, it seems that I mostly see "food is fuel" from really athletic people, who then have high-carb and low-carb days, who weigh everything, who eat to become better at their sports. That's great, but that's also very much like dieting, which is what I'm trying to avoid. I'm an athlete, but not competitive. So that's probably my first reaction to food as fuel.Further, to me, food is much more than fuel. When I take time to prepare a full Korean spread, complete with six or seven side dishes, it's a real act of love to me (and my husband).When my mother-in-law takes the time to prepare three days of food (and leave it in small containers, labeled with the day and meal I should eat it) because, horror or horrors, she and my husband are going on a trip out of

the city and I might die in my own kitchen, it is a real act of love.When I make homemade kimchi instead of buying it in the store, I feel a connection to my mother-in-law in Seoul, because she taught me her recipe.When my husband and I participate in a CSA (where you pay a local farmer in advance for weeks of local, fresh produce), it is a political statement.When I tend to my garden and grow Korean peppers I can't easily get here, it is a hobby and a skill.To me, food is not fuel. I much prefer to enjoy my food, to savor it, to appreciate the texture, color, and flavors. I thought that's why I was overweight--because I just liked food.Instead I'm finding that by eating only when hungry (most of the time) and by stopping when I'm full (most of the time), I am enjoying my food EVEN MORE than I was before. How much are you really ENJOYING food if your stomach is too full or if you're eating out of

boredom?Anyhow--no, to be food is not fuel--but that doesn't mean I have to continue poor eating habits.I'm just wondering what other people think.

Even to this day, I'm stunned by this story. Food just fuel? Not caring what it tastes like? How is this even possible?? I don't think I can ever get to quite that point, nor am I sure I'd want to. I *like* enjoying my food! But making it have far less importance than it does, sure would be nice.