Food is Love

Food is love
Blair Sharp Freelance Writer at Recovery Unplugged

Written By

Blair Sharp

Close your eyes. Think about a time from childhood when you enjoyed your favorite food. Where are you? What do you see? How do you feel?

Maybe it was a meal your grandmother cooked for you every time you visited? Or did you think of your favorite after-school snack? What feelings did that memory bring up for you?

Food plays a significant part in our lives. The food we eat can influence our feelings, create long-lasting memories, and evoke strong emotions.

Using food to show love

Food has been a way to show love since the beginning of time. We can use food to show love to others and ourselves in many ways. And each person has a personal relationship with food.

Nourishment

Food is a basic human need that provides nutrients and gives us energy. Eating certain foods make us healthy and strong. We can show love by preparing and consuming nourishing meals.

Connection

Food shows love by bringing people together. When a new restaurant opens, everyone wants to know about it. They ask, “how was the food?” We connect over conversations about food.

Eating is a commonality between friends and strangers. We bond over food. It gives us something to discuss and enhances our connections with people close to us.

Eating is a great way to connect with family, friends, and colleagues. We have important conversations over mealtimes and do business deals over lunch. Food isn’t only for eating; it’s for sharing an experience with others.

Self-care

Food is a form of self-care, and caring for yourself is to love yourself. Once you start noticing the physical, mental, and emotional effects food provides, it may lead you to make healthier choices in the future.

If you know that a particular food hurts your stomach, you likely won’t keep eating it. If you feel energized by one specific meal, you may be more inclined to consume it again.

Some ways to use food as self-care are:

  • Order fancy coffee
  • Buy chocolates or other sweet treats
  • Have dinner at a nice restaurant
  • Spend time with your family eating great food
  • Eat food that evokes happy memories

It’s OK to reward yourself with food, as long as you’re mindful of the reasons and don’t overindulge.

How to show love with food

Meal planning

Create a meal plan for your household. This planning is key to ensuring that nutritious foods are in your home for mealtime and snacking.

Take turns planning meals each week or month. Be sure to involve your children too. Kids love feeling like they’re a part of something, and they have a lot of great ideas.

We tend to make poor food choices when we’re in a hurry. Choose healthy snacks that are easy to access on the go. Having something nutritious that is ready to grab as you’re running out the door, you’ll make a better choice without having to prepare or think about it.

Cook with loved ones

Memories are made through shared experiences, especially when it comes to food. We unintentionally gather in the kitchen when we spend time together. If we are planning an event, food is one of the top items on the list.

Make cooking together a part of your weekly routine. Tell your kids about your food memories and teach them how to cook your favorite foods. Consider cooking in a new style or taking a class in your community or online.

Food bonds us, and some of the best memories are made in the kitchen.

Include a personal touch

Tell a story when you cook. Choose foods with vibrant colors and exciting flavors. Embrace creativity in the kitchen. Add garnishes and focus on small details. Add a unique element to make your food memorable.

Food for addiction recovery

Nourishing our bodies with healthy foods is an important tool for recovery from drugs and alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms can worsen without proper nutrition.

Other ways food can benefit your recovery:

  • Improve digestion
  • Reduce pain
  • Regulate metabolism
  • Improve mobility
  • Increase energy levels
  • Boost mood

It’s important to practice mindful eating. Food can benefit your recovery but can also serve as a coping mechanism. Consider your reasons for eating certain foods and talk to a professional if you have concerns about your eating habits.

We take food very seriously at Recovery Unplugged. Our experienced chefs provide fresh and nutritious food and snacks, and we cater to all dietary and cultural food restrictions. We know how important proper nutrition is to your recovery, and we want to help you heal your mind and body.

We encourage you to use food to show love to family and friends. Create memories through shared food experiences and spend time with your loved ones over the table. Food is love.

We take our music-focused treatment for addiction very seriously, so we are going to hold our content to the same precision standards. Recovery Unplugged’s editorial process involves our editing safeguard and our ideals. Read our Editorial Process.

Blair Sharp

Blair is an esteemed writer and sobriety advocate with a background in psychometry. She blends academic expertise with personal narratives to offer valuable guidance for those navigating the path to sobriety.

Read More
Call Now: (855) 384-5794