Why do we love to eat?

By BARBARA QUINN
Knight Ridder Newspapers

Why do we eat?

Sometimes we eat to fill in time, such as when the airline announced my plane was late and I may miss my connection in Phoenix. Better go eat a good lunch, I counseled myself as I headed for the airport restaurant.

Sometimes we eat because food tastes good. “Want some?” a toddler peeking over from the next booth in the restaurant asked as he offered me his candy sucker. No thank you, I said, smiling at his innocence. “It’s good,” he replied, as he stuck it back into his mouth.

Sometimes we eat because we know what we need. “French fries, potato or macaroni salad with your sandwich?” the waitress offered. I considered how long it may be before I was in the vicinity of any other vegetables that day … Can you just bring me a side salad? I asked.

Sometimes we eat when things go wrong. Our connecting flight is canceled? For two days? Why do I suddenly find myself digging in my purse for M&Ms?

When it comes to healthful eating, experts say knowing why we eat can be as important as what we eat.

We can eat for the right reasons. Hunger, for example — when the body is depleted of vital nutrients and fluid and needs nourishment. Food provides vital fuel to power us through long busy days.

We can eat for the wrong reasons, too. When we try to soothe emotional ups and downs. When we are afraid to feel anything but a full stomach.

In the midst of all life throws our way, there are two questions nutrition experts recommend we ask ourselves before we put food into our bodies: How do I feel? What do I need? For example, am I hungry? I need healthful food. Am I bored? I need to take a walk. Am I exhausted? I need to rest. Food does its best job on physical hunger.

Sometimes we eat when we are relieved. Such as the apple I munched in the Phoenix airport when I discovered my connecting flight was not canceled … just delayed.

Sometimes we eat for comfort — and tradition — and because it brings us back to our roots. Safely landed in New Mexico, my mom and daughter picked me up at the airport. We headed straight to Cervantes’ restaurant, where I got my long-awaited green chile enchilada fix. In the familiar surroundings with people I love, I quickly forgot the cares of the day.

“At its most basic,” English cookery author Rasamond Richardson wrote, “food is fuel for a hungry machine.” Still, it can “look beautiful, taste exquisite, smell wonderful, make people feel good, bring them together, and inspire romantic feelings.” And all was right with the world.