Why Do We Eat?

In the first part of this series, we talked about the never-ending question of what we should eat and how our food system is optimized to deliver pleasure rather than true nourishment. The real question isn't just what we eat, but why we eat?

Eating for the Mind's Pleasure

In today's world, food has become our go-to for quick satisfaction. And thanks for modern food science, most of what we consume is designed to hit our pleasure centers hard - triggering a dopamine rush that keeps us coming back for more. 

You've probably experienced it: that first bite of a juicy cheeseburger, or the crunch of a perfect French Fry, or even the rich flavor of vegan XO sauce. That's dopamine, the chemical behind the pleasure we feel when something tastes, feels, sounds, smells, or even looks really good.

But do you notice - it never lasts? Our brain, driven by dopamine, urges us to seek out that next hit, and before we know it, we're caught in a cycle of consumption - seeking temporary satisfaction while our bodies pay the price.

Eating for the Body's Nourishment

We often forget that we eat as a biological function to sustain and nourish our bodies, not just to satisfy the impulsive cravings of the mind. And these dopamine-inducing foods are wrecking havoc on our bodies. 

When is the last time you ate for your heart, your liver, your kidney or your gut? They need fuel too. They're hungry for nourishment, but they don't scream for attention the way the brain does.

Listen closely the next time you eat. Shortly after your mind gets its dopamine fix, your body will tell you how it feels. That bloating sensation from consuming fried and processed foods? That's your gut, inflamed and signaling distress. That post-lunch fog and fatigue? It's your body telling you that what you've consumed isn't the right kind of fuel.

It doesn't have to be this way. It shouldn't be this way.

Beyond the Mind: Trust your Gut

 So how do we break out of this dopamine loop? The answer lies in shifting how we think about eating - not as something that only satisfies cravings, but as a something that fuels and sustains us.

Have you ever noticed the phrases we use to refer to intuition and wisdom that come from beyond the mind? We say:

• "Trust your gut"
• "Follow your heart"
• "Feel it in your bones"

These expressions reflect a deeper understanding that intelligence exists throughout our bodies, not just in our brains. And we need to learn how to listen to its signals.

And where should we start? I propose we begin with our gut.

In the next part of this series, we'll explore the gut-brain axis and discuss how our gut, often referred to as the "second brain", is responsible for much more than digestion. It plays a critical role in our mental health, our energy levels, and our overall well-being.

The gut has been quietly guiding us all along - it's time we started listening.