Why are we so obsessed with dieting?

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The modern obsession with dieting is another way to deal with the fear of death, which largely determines human behavior.

Dietetics is a young science that lies at the intersection of several disciplines: chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, psychology. And while scientists are still far from figuring out proper nutrition, we need to eat something to survive. And in the absence of guarantees, every meal is like a leap into the unknown.

Anthropologist Ernest Becker, in his book Escape From Evil, describes eating as an ancient magical ritual, an action that transfers life energy from one object to another. All animals, in order to maintain their own life, must feed on the life of others, whatever form this may take: breast milk, plants or the corpses of other animals.

The act of absorption, the absorption of a previously living creature, is a process necessary for survival. But thinking about this is unpleasant and disgusting, because it turns out that there is a direct connection between nutrition and death. People, thanks to self-awareness, are aware of death from an early age. Becker believes that the fear of death and the need to suppress this fear largely determine human behavior.

How did food culture come about?

The ancients, filling their stomachs, must have decided that life is not only about survival. They began to create things in which they could find oblivion, tranquility, rest, meaning. They have built cultures in which death was not the end, but just another rite of passage. People have come up with a system of meanings, symbols, rituals and rules. Food and nutrition also became part of this system.

Nowadays, food consumption is so enriched with different cultural meanings that for most people its connection with the brutal laws of survival is completely lost. Even for those living in extreme poverty, cultural implications around food remain paramount.

People eat when they celebrate and mourn; eat because it is time to eat or to get closer to other people; eat out of boredom or for pleasure. No wonder the primary function of food is so deeply hidden.

No one wants to think every day that a bowl of breakfast cereal is a way to delay death.

The whole point of food culture is to forget about death. The desire to live (not just postpone death, but completely overcome it) has grown into an obsession, turning a person into an object that can achieve immortality.

The cult of diets and healthy eating is an attempt to overstep its animal nature.

The omnivorous paradox

Man is the most promiscuous omnivore that has ever lived on earth. People eat other animals, insects, plants, fish and seafood, and in rare cases even earth, clay, chalk.

We are chasing variety and novelty, but at the same time, we cannot get away from our inherent fear of food. This reflects the famous omnivorous paradox first mentioned by psychologist Paul Rozin.

The omnivorous paradox is anxiety arising from the conflict between the urge to try new food and an inherited fear of unknown food.

The rest of the omnivorous animals also experience such conflicting urges, but humans are especially acute. If it weren't for the tiny likelihood of poisoning and death lurking behind every food and every new diet, food choices would have been easier. There wouldn't be so many social media reposts about the need to drink two liters of water a day or the magical properties of apple cider vinegar and coconut oil. Everyone would be more relaxed about food.

Despite numerous attempts by scientists, nutritionists, chefs and celebrities to write a unified nutritional guide, we still do not have exact rules.

Everyone has to reconcile the need for food and the fear of the unknown when we are too young to read, count calories, and understand abstract ideas about nutrient absorption. We all go through the stage of pickiness in food in childhood. This is how the survival mechanism developed in the course of evolution manifests itself. Therefore, it is not surprising that children try to taste the whole world, but spit out mashed green peas.

Modern heroes

Omnivorousness gives freedom, which pleases and frightens at the same time. Therefore, to be on the safe side, we prefer to follow the lead of established leaders.

Modern heroes are health food gurus who claim to have been cured of obesity, disease and meaningless living with vegetable juices. Ancient heroes earned their status by conquering death. Today's heroes, as proof of their triumph over the despicable animal principle, photograph smoothies and themselves in successful poses.

Of course, these gurus are not involved in peer-reviewed, anonymously sampled research. After all, it is much clearer to show your photo "before and after".

Becker believes that at a fundamental level, people feel guilty about eating other living things, so they yearn for redemption of this guilt. And culture provides not only the means to achieve material comfort, but also ways to sacrifice some of it in order to achieve the desired redemption. Therefore, it is not enough for healthy eating gurus to be healthy, beautiful and successful. They should give up sugar, grains, or meat. They have to pay.

However, only those who already have status and resources can afford to effectively renounce something. For example, give up sugar and switch to some kind of moss juice. How can one triumph over the animal principle and death even brighter? And you can do it too. If, of course, you have the time and money to extract the juice from the moss.

How the paradox of omnivorousness gives rise to the cult of diets

People, weary of having to choose and the vague threat of death lurking behind every wrong choice, yearn for some rules and put their trust in successful gurus.

We happily hand over our freedom to someone in exchange for the yoke of a diet that prohibits eating our favorite foods and makes us rely on the unknown, the tasteless, and the inaccessible. And all this in order to free yourself from choice and responsibility.

But diets are constantly changing. What is considered the standard of healthy food today may be dubious or outdated tomorrow. Plus, there are too many opposite diets right now. Legumes and grains are a staple of nutrition for many vegans, but they also symbolize the decaying influence of agriculture on nature for the paleo diet.

Dietetics itself is a series of controversies. The only thing that unites the opposing diets is the belief that by following them, you can avoid the common human lot and become a cleaner being.

Some even refer to their diet as a religion, hoping it will save them. They expect to be able to protect themselves from disease and death by eating right.

conclusions

Eating without constant restrictions means admitting your mortality and the limits of your capabilities. At the same time, you will enjoy the food and be responsible for your choices.

Yes, there is still a lot we don’t know. But we know that there is no one right diet. There can be as many correct ways of eating as there are people themselves. So everyone will have to draw their own conclusions about their diet and life.