Food: Interest or Obsession?

I have friends who are self-proclaimed “foodies.” They subscribe to cooking magazines, read cookbooks for pleasure, and spend a lot of time in the kitchen preparing food for their family and friends. Food is their hobby, their passion, and their joy; I see absolutely nothing pathological in their behavior when it comes to eating, and feel privileged when I reap the fruits of their labors.

I work with a number of clients who also spend a great deal of time in the kitchen. They experiment with recipes, take photos, and blog about the results. Some say they wish to pursue careers as nutritionists or healers. One young woman creates exquisite cakes for weddings, but refuses to eat anything she bakes for others.

Where do we draw the line between “normal” and “abnormal,” “interested” and “obsessed”? It’s a fine and arbitrary line, indeed.

In answering the question, one needs to think about abstract concepts of purpose and values. In his useful workbook, Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life (2005), Steven Hayes writes, “Choosing what you value and pursuing that path can make your life rich and meaningful, even in the face of great adversity.” Do you value creativity, health and family? Is your purpose to be a nurturer? Or is your purpose to be the thinnest person in the room? Do you feel guilty and binge on your cooking, or do you allow yourself to partake in and enjoy what you create? Do you use food to bring people together, or to avoid painful emotions within yourself?

When your purpose is clear, and the decisions you make in regards to your actions are congruent with your values, then there won’t be a question as to whether your behavior is “healthy” or whether you’re on the “right” path. Maybe you’ll become a chef, a dietician, or even a psychologist. Or maybe you’ll find your passion somewhere other than the kitchen.

Love,

Ellen

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