14.2 Reasons We Eat

We eat for many reasons.

• We might eat out of a habit of eating at certain times.
• We might eat because others are doing it. Food and eating are part of many social events and rituals, and sharing meals is a common way to socialize with friends and family.
• We might eat because it’s something to do; it may help pass time or serve as a distraction from other things.
• We might eat to try something new or as a way to experience another culture.
• We might find comfort in eating; it may satisfy us emotionally.
• We might eat to satisfy physical hunger or appetite.
• We might eat simply because we need to; our bodies need food to function.

Food is a basic human need; we cannot survive without it. Just as plants require nutrients from the soil, energy from the sun, and water to grow, our bodies require energy—in the form of calories— and nutrients, and we get these from the foods and beverages we consume. Food is fuel, and adequately fueling our bodies supports the demands and activities of day-to-day life. While our individual energy and nutrient needs depend on a variety of factors such as our size and activity levels, feeding ourselves adequate amounts of the nutrients our bodies need is an important form of self-care.