The role of food in childhood lessons

As young children we looked up to adults to teach us, guide us, inform us, and lead us. Often times we were taught things that, though we may laugh it off as adults, these deeply rooted values are a part of who we are today.

An example of this would be eating everything on my plate.

Now, as a rational adult I know that me getting fat is not helping any starving children, anywhere. But, it still makes me feel guilty to leave food on my plate.

My father's motto was "Take all you want, but eat all you take" That's like saying take it all to a little kid.

Your eyes are bigger than your stomach. Well, after finishing every plate for twenty years my stomach is giving my eyes a run for their money.

Believing that ice cream and cake is an absolute must for your birthday might be cute when you're five. But when you're fifty it's just plain silly. (We still want it, though, don't we?)

If you've ever felt jealous over your child's halloween candy, you know what I mean.

We learn in childhood that a cookie can make a boo-boo all better. This lesson can be buried so deeply in our psyche that when we lose a job, or feel disappointed, it's food we look for. The cookies, the cheesecake, the ice cream.

This is one lesson mamma didn't have to repeat.

We learn that when someone dies, someone brings food. If not, you go out to eat. Food is comfort. We look for it after we are injured, when we are disappointed, during holidays and when we grieve.

We equate food with satisfaction and comfort. And who wouldn't feel comfort when their tummy is full and their satisfied.

This can be a good thing, if not abused. However, as most of us already know, people tend to abuse those things that make them feel good. Drink, food, drugs, sex, anything that makes them feel less alone and more special.

If you are feeling out of control with your eating stop and analyze why you're eating? Are you hungry or just hungry for life?

Seek counseling and resources that will help you live a healthy life and a long time. Remember, momma may be right most of the time, but that doesn't mean you have to eat all of your potatoes.

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