Consumed: Why Americans Love, Hate and Fear Food, by Michelle Stacey

"We will not be healthier, both psychologically and physically, about our food until we learn to love it more, not less...with a relaxed, generous, unashamed emotion. That will be the only way to free ourselves from our sad and fruitless struggle against its power. In the process, it may be that we will have to redefine fundamentally the concept of 'eating well.' The phrase now, in the hands of the food paranoids, is often used to convey the idea of following a diet scientifically programed to prevent disease...and almost religiously outlawing certain forbidden foods. Perhaps eating well instead ought to mean eating fresh, well-prepared foods that are varied and satisfying, served in an appealing way, eaten at leisure-a way of eating that, because nothing is completely ruled out, obviates the need for snacking, for 'cheating,' for obsessing and bingeing. That might also end the driving anxiety about our food-the idea that what we eat is killing us, and that we must do something drastic and painful to repair the damage."

In a nutshell, the above passage defines the thrust of "enlightened hedonism," and the author's assertion that America's "disordered" eating has brought us to this place of food paranoia.

Though published in 1994, much of what the book had to say rings true today...somehow our relationship with food has evolved into fear- the primal fear of death, which is futile, because death, as we all know, is inevitable.

"...a life lived by the numbers [counting calories, fat grams, points, etc.] seeks to evade the most central of truths: Even the most religious of dieters cannot dictate the exact moment or nature of one's death. Perhaps the most disturbing, and disheartening, aspect of the current food paranoia is that is seems driven far more by a fear of death than by a love of life. It is possible to become so engaged in the business of fleeing illness and decay that one forgets how to truly and fully live-or forgets that one point of living is to enjoy."

Well said. The author also asserts that much of our obesity and food obsession stems directly from our American fast food and snacking mentality. We avoid eating good, wholesome food, and grab quick, "cheater" food, inhale it, and that experience leaves us wanting and on the prowl for more food experience. We then binge on quickie junk, and our subsequent weight gain and guilt catapults us into a stringent diet which starves us for FOOD, and the cycle begins again. A couple nights ago I came home famished, but instead of grabbing the nearest edible thing, I munched a couple carrots, and prepared an amazing dinner for myself: creamy scallop sauce over linguine (butter and cream galore), french bread (more butter) and wine. I threw some mushrooms and broccoli florets into the sauce for good measure. I sat down, thanked the Lord for His amazing abundance, and slowly ate my meal, savoring each bite. Normally I'm a rapid eater, so this exercise was somewhat trying...BUT about 3/4 the way through my moderate to small helpings, I was completely satisfied, and didn't crave another bite of ANYTHING the rest of the night. I think Ms. Stacey may be onto something. Given the full experience of savoring not only the taste of the meal but also the aroma and even the preparation (cooking isn't my favorite activity), satisfies some God-given food enjoyment "gene," and to eat the slap-dash American way is to starve that "gene" and trigger it to binge.

I have always joked that I'm a hedonist at heart, but now I have given myself permission to be an "enlightened hedonist." One who prepares wholesome food but doesn't worry about the fat grams, carbs, calories or "righteousness" (as Gwen Shamblin of Weigh Down terms it) of a particular ingredient. I will eat when I'm hungry, savor my food, stop when I'm pleasantly full, and wait again to eat when I'm hungry. The end.