by Jonni Sharland

Created on: September 17, 2007   Last Updated: May 22, 2010

It doesn't exactly take rocket science to identify the link between what we put in our mouths and our state of health. Some thoughtful observation tempered with good old-fashioned common sense will soon reveal there's little doubt that food can drastically affect our emotional, as well as physical well-being. Any sensible girl who has seen love fly out the window will tell you the best solace is in a bar of chocolate and we all know what happens to kids' behavior when let loose on the treats at birthday parties. The film "Super-size Me" has left little doubt in our minds as to what will happen if we binge on fast food. Food is one of the great pleasures in life, and many of us live to eat. But what quality of life is it?

Studies increasingly show links between wrong eating and numerous common disorders, like stress, depression, heart problems, diabetes and arthritis to name a few. Considering this, along with the fact that your average well-fed human being is likely to eat approximately 25 tons of it in a lifetime, food is obviously very important. Yet many of us merrily munch away in blissful ignorance of the fact that we may be eating our way into an early grave.

Oh yes, we love our food! However, eating so indiscriminately, that is by living to eat, are we loving ourselves? I think not; in fact, I am inclined to venture further by saying that in this regard, food has become another abused substance, or drug. This is particularly true in societies blessed with abundance, where food is taken totally for granted as a life giver, and used for recreation as a source of pleasure well over and above its function of providing daily nourishment (another hors d'oeuvre anyone?). Like all other drugs abused and/or used in excess, food too can be a slow killer. If we want to live to eat our way into healthy longevity, then I suggest we learn to eat to live.

For so many in the world this is purely a matter of survival, getting enough to eat in order to live. Ironically for those of us who have plenty to eat, it seems we are just as at risk of death through our overindulgence and ignorance, as those that struggle to find enough nourishment to sustain life. Looking at the mortality statistics is a great way to give yourself a healthy fright, and (pardon the pun) some food for thought on how we are orchestrating our own demise through poor eating habits.

The escalating obesity rate can be thanked for raising a first wave of awareness, and shedding some light on this problem

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