We are what we eat

We all know the phrase "we are what we eat". We hear it on TV and read it in wellness magazines, and we almost always associate it with nutritional advice. However, the origin of this expression is much deeper and more philosophical than you might think.

Coined by the 19th-century German philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach, the phrase was not just meant to be a warning about physical health. A convinced materialist, Feuerbach intended this maxim to emphasize the intrinsic link between our nature, our mind and our spirit and the material world. To him, food was not just sustenance; it was the very foundation of our existence, thoughts and values [1].

Food is a powerful cultural marker. The recipes we learn from our families, perhaps from recipe books with yellowing pages, the dishes we prepare for holidays and the flavors that remind us of our childhood all shape our identity. Food tells our story and represents our traditions and social ties [2-3].

For a student, this concept takes on an even deeper meaning. While arriving in a new city and a different country is undoubtedly an exciting experience, it also brings with it uncertainties and fears, even for the most outgoing of people. Will I fit in? Will I make new friends? What if I must live alone for all these months? Can I finish the agreed period sooner?

However, something as simple and natural as the lunch break can alleviate some of those fears. Imagine the first lunch in the university canteen after working in the lab for several hours. The empty tables start to fill up with students from all over the world, speaking a variety of different languages. Here, a familiar dish — perhaps pasta or something like food from back home — can provide a sense of familiarity in a new and stimulating environment. It is precisely around that table that the first friendships are formed. 'Where are you from? What do you usually eat there?' Recipes are exchanged, anecdotes are shared, and flavors are enjoyed together.

Food becomes the bridge that unites us all, a universal language that transcends language and cultural barriers.

by Fabrizio Villapiano

References

1. Feuerbach, L. (1862). Das Geheimnis des Opfers oder der Mensch ist, was er isst.

2. Almerico, G. M. (2014). Food and Identity: Food studies, cultural, and personal identity” Journal of International Business and Cultural Studies, Vol. 8, No. 4. 3.

3. Ancona, D., Goodman, P., Lawrence, B. and Tushman, M. (2010). Time: A New Research Lens. The Academy of Management Review 26(4): 645–63.