Re: Food as Fuel

[Guest guest]

I completely agree with you . It was kinda sad reading about how some eat only for fuel. At first I thought, wow, I'm really a goner because I'll never get to the point of eating only for fuel, and I don't want to because I enjoy food too much! But as you explained very well below, I am also finding that I enjoy food even more by eating only when I'm hungry and stopping when I'm full. I'm also finding it a great way to nurture myself.To: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Sun, August 8, 2010 10:31:26 PMSubject: Food as Fuel

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.

[Guest guest]

I like thinking of food as fuel to get me away from the emotional eating part of my struggle. To recognize when the "gas tank" is empty and then fill it up and notice how much more energized and balanced I feel is a great experience. However, I completely agree that food should be a myriad of experiences. When my body is asking for a certain food I honor it because I know that I will feel satisfied and won't try to eat something else immediately afterward. I love the different colors of food, I love experiencing all the different flavors instead of just shoveling it in. I think food and eating is multi-faceted and I for one try to enjoy every part of the experience. TanaTo: IntuitiveEating_Support Sent: Sun, August 8, 2010 7:31:26 PMSubject: Food as Fuel

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.

[Guest guest]

I agree with you 100% about enjoying food, . Right now I'm

doing some recipe testing for a cookbook author, and I'm having a

blast! Ate chocolate oatmeal for breakfast AND dinner last night!

Ooh, Tana, just read your post and love it too! Food as fuel is a

healthy approach for me...i.e. not feeling like every meal is a

thrill, but at the same time, enjoying food is just as important too!

Ciao!