I’d like to share a paper I wrote for my Philosophy class way back in 2010. Let’s hear it from my 21 year old self. It’s almost Christmas and more food to come. I came to a realization that sharing my insights regarding food would inspire and give insights.
December is CHRISTMAS!!!
Xoxo,
Mae
PHILOSOPHY OF EATING HEALTHY
Caper diem meaning to seize the day because we are being busy, we just let the day pass without even doing anything out of the ordinary. Today, everything comes in an instant like food, coffee and so on. I want to talk about my health since I have been busy with school and not eating healthy or being less conscious of my health.
My dad always goes to the gym and does not eat rice at all. My mom is eating only two meals a day. My younger sister is a dancer who can eat whatever she wants but is concerned about losing weight. On the other hand I do not care at all. When I was younger, I was physically active and fit since I played soccer. As the years passed, my academic standing is compromised so to focus in my studies in school, I gave up playing soccer. For the past few years, I gained weight because I really love the taste and feel of food. I have been struggling with losing weight since then. Just recently I went to the school clinic and had my medical check-up, to my surprise I gained a lot of weight since I started college. I made a deal with my cousin that I would lose weight and do everything I can but I lacked motivation and the persistence to go with diet and exercise. In short, I got bored and felt the need to give up. Now, I’m changing my ways by eating healthier foods and trying very hard to exercise as much as I can.
The philosophical questions: Why do we eat? Why do I find it difficult to have a healthy lifestyle?
First, eating is not just a need but also a desire for all of us to survive and replenish the calories lost because of daily living. But, too much, beyond the daily needs may lead to being overweight and worst, being morbidly obese. Love of food leads to addiction to food in general. The best way to solve this problem would be to eat in moderation. Eating less can actually make each of us crave for more. A deprived person tends to eat more than he or she needs. Food and water are basic necessities and are important. But sometimes why do we go beyond and want more than what we need? Is this an expression of our primal needs to satisfy our unlimited wants? It’s like a big ocean abundant and filled with different types and forms of life, from the corals to all sea animals. This is overwhelming since it is a mystery and tends to get deeper within us.
Second, with the fast pace of modern living, the practice of eating healthy is slowly decreasing. Even if a lot of people are conscious of what they eat and are trying to eat healthy, majority just continue on eating fast food since everyone have fast-paced lifestyle and are seemingly busy. One can even consider eating as a coping mechanism for stressful events in ones’ lives. One eats less because of dieting; others are stressed out that they can’t even eat. Isn’t it unpredictable that each individual have different perspectives and views regarding food? While all of us eat, we have different food preferences and have different reasons for eating. Majority just eat because they need to get through the day. For others, eating is a form of social interaction and, as such, an occasion. Does eating lead to happy things? Or do people eat because they are sad? I consider eating as a need, a choice, for betterment and for filling in something empty. Just like traveling around the world, we go to different places to learn about culture. With food, there are many kinds, preparations and reasons for them to be consumed.
Third, I strongly believe that eating has something to do with passion and having control. Some people don’t just eat food for the sake of eating alone. Others even consider preparing the food and have dedicated their lives cooking. It is their passion. It is their profession. Some people venture into becoming chefs, food critiques, owning restaurants, writing books about food making others see that food is not only all about eating but also loving what you do. On the other hand, control over something is needed in order to not be too greedy or unsatisfied. If one wants to lose weight one has to control what one consumes. If one wants to succeed one has to have determination and control and motivation. When we are given a task, or consider living, we are in control of the decisions we make. The sense of responsibility, maturity and subjective well being each one of us needs to succeed and finish what we want to do defying all odds. Eating has been rooted from our ancestors even though, they eat differently from us. Some countries eat rice while others are just fine with bread and pasta. Culture is connected with food. Filipinos really love food. I like the idea of trying new cuisines once in a while. You eat because you are starving or sometimes to satisfy your needs that is both a passion and a form of control.
Considering the things I have mentioned earlier, food is vital in daily living even if we say we can last a day without eating. It is just a matter of choice or options. We have to choose because of the different types of food at hand. We have healthy options too but some of us just love eating what’s bad for us like oily foods, sugary food, as well as spicy and salty ones. Some people even venture or consider being vegetarians, vegan or some consider eating meat all the time while others eat whatever is present. Some get bored with eating the same food everyday so they try fast foods instead, quick and yummy but unhealthy. The power is within our hands if we want to indulge ourselves and suffer the consequence of getting diseases once we get older then let things be. People who are obese or overweight may be diabetics or even get diseases that are very bad. I don’t want to be like them, given that my parents are both doctors. They are pressuring me for my own benefit. I want to be healthy because I don’t want to develop disease that may harm me. Some people even develop eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia, I don’t want to be like them so thin to the point they look disgusting even if they are reed thin. I strongly believe that with persistence, motivation and control, I can do it. I change my outlook on food because I want to be physically fit like I used to be. I am not doing this for just losing weight but at the same time to be healthy and happy. Even if I get tempted to eat sweets, I just tell myself that I will only eat little amount, I am still persistent that I can do this. It is my challenge now to continue living with healthy foods and eat in moderation.
Not everyone gets to eat good food such as the poor people who can only eat less than what we have at home. Food is a gift and a privilege that we need to consume and not take for granted. We should eat healthy food to become healthy individuals. Being healthy is not just focused on better looks or getting thin or buffed up to be noticed. You just don’t eat healthy but to incorporate exercise and an active lifestyle for things to be effective. I came to realize that food is of the essence without we will not function as normal people. It’s about doing something good for yourself and being influenced by the people you love such as my family and friends. Nothing really is impossible if we just put our heart into things. Life is a climb but the view is great all the time. The only way to be happy is for us to love ourselves more and share that love we have with others.
Mas maging masaya ito kung nandiyan ang iyong Pamilya at mga Kaibigan.
