Food is a source of pleasure for many people. Enjoying food has benefits for health, including supporting digestion and improving the relationship with food. Getting enough pleasure from food is as important as the nutrients it contains.
The psychology behind eating for pleasure:
The science behind eating for pleasure has been extensively researched, revealing that it releases dopamine in both our brains and mouths. This fact is well-established and supported by encouraging findings from numerous studies.
Dopamine is often referred to as the ‘feel good hormone’ because it activates the reward pathways in the brain, which helps to promote happiness, calmness, motivation, and focus.
It has been found in research from 2011 that people with obesity may experience disrupted dopamine sensitivity. This condition may cause them to overeat in order to derive adequate pleasure from food.
However, when brain chemistry is working properly, enjoying food can lead to physical benefits.
Enjoying food and stimulating dopamine helps us digest it better. Relaxing while eating triggers rest and digest mode, which helps us break down and utilize the nutrients. Eating for pleasure can promote healthier eating habits.
A 2020 systematic review of 119 studies explored the relationship between food enjoyment and a healthy diet. Of the studies, 57% found favorable associations between pleasure in eating and dietary outcomes.
One 2015 study linked greater eating pleasure to higher nutrition. Other studies stress enjoying healthy foods for a balanced diet.
When we enjoy the food we eat, our satisfaction increases. This can lead to better diet quality and lower chances of overeating or binge episodes.
The emotional nourishment of the foods we eat:
Food is more than just fuel. It connects us to our cultural heritage and brings us together with loved ones. Enjoying food can feed your spirit in many ways.
Sharing food with others can increase happiness and social connection. Enjoying food mindfully can help break the harmful mentality of diet culture, connect us with our cultural heritage, and provide physical and emotional comfort.
Emotional eating, however, is often a result of mindless consumption and creates a strained relationship with food. Eating for pleasure is different from emotional eating in both intent and outcome. Eating for pleasure involves choosing foods to specifically enjoy their taste, texture, and experience. There is often a true connection and enjoyment that you get from the food. Mindfully enjoying your food won’t leave you with feelings of guilt or shame.
Source: Ghana/MaxTV/MaxFM/max.com.gh/Sharon Coffie
