The Importance of Food in the Life of a Dietitian

Chicken Manchow and Tomato Dhania Shorba in India

A warm welcome to my dietetics and nutrition blog!

Here, I will be sharing weekly posts on a wide range of nutrition-related topics. The choice of subjects will be very diverse: on the one hand, there will of course be professional and scientific articles; on the other hand, I will also share personal opinions or short stories related to this field. To make the whole thing a bit more interactive, I would love to receive suggestions and wishes from you, so that I can take a closer look at topics that matter to you. Comments and constructive criticism are also very welcome.

With my very first post, however, I would like to start by sharing something personal—namely the role that food plays in my life.

Food has always had great significance for me. From a very young age, I have memories of my grandmothers and my parents in the kitchen, along with the intense aromas that came with it. The meals that followed usually exceeded all expectations in terms of taste. What strengthened my relationship with this entire process even more was the fact that my brother and I were repeatedly encouraged to help out. The joy of working in the kitchen and of eating has therefore accompanied me for quite some time.

Today, food has a multitude of meanings for me. Depending on the situation, the emotions vary—but all of these moments have one thing in common: the role food plays is always significant.

Especially at social events such as gatherings with friends or family, there is always something to eat in my circle. Whether it’s full meals that are sometimes very elaborate and lovingly prepared, or simply a variety of snacks on the side, depends on the situation. But food—in all its different forms—is always present and has the potential to be the proverbial cherry on top of the cake

Classic home-style cooking ;)

Who doesn’t know the feeling of how the smell of certain dishes alone can bring back memories of the safety and carefreeness of childhood, the relaxation of a specific vacation, or a particularly special evening in the past? I’m no different. So many memories from my past revolve around the smells and flavors of food.

Of course, there are also less positive memories associated with food. After the loss of one of the most important people in my childhood and youth, I sought comfort in many different ways. At times, I could barely eat anything, yet I was able to distract myself by being in the kitchen. By trying out new recipes and perfecting ones I already knew, I could clear my head and still manage to eat a little. While many people can’t stop eating in stressful or sad situations, I completely lose any sense of hunger. However, handling food and working in the kitchen helps me cope.

In the end, though, the positive associations with food far outweigh the negative ones for me. On the one hand, there are memories from childhood, adolescence, celebrations, family gatherings, and vacations; on the other hand, food also plays a very significant role in love. The saying “love goes through the stomach” is deeply ingrained in my life. The feeling of cooking for someone and seeing it on their face when it matches their taste and truly delights them is priceless. Knowing that you put the right thought into it beforehand makes every second of preparation and cooking worthwhile when you’re rewarded with that sparkle of joy in their eyes.

Although nutrition is a topic that occupies me professionally on a daily basis—and I witness how many health issues, negativity, worries, and despair can be associated with it—I never forget what food can be beyond its necessity for survival: relaxation, joy, pleasure, health, sensation, and love.