The Art of Balance…

The Art of Balance…

The other night my roommates and I were talking about the role of food in our lives.  To say the leas,  we titled it as the leading actor.  Now, to give you some context, none of my roommates or myself is fat, but we do enjoy eating.  We noticed trends of binge eating, which tend to occur around stressful periods such as midterms and finals.  What is it about the comfort of food that seems to fill that ‘void’ in our tummies?  The urges that make us want more even when our jeans won’t allow it?  Ah, yes it’s a little thing I like to call the inability of self-control.

Food is a comfort.  It acts as a best friend, a stuffed animal, a lover…but like any of these, overuse leads to destruction.  Life is all about balance.  In college you do not want to find yourself labeled strictly as a partier, nerd, or slacker; but hopefully a mixture of all three..thus a balancing act.  Eating is no different.  You need to make sure you intake fruits, vegetables, carbs, meats, and sweets all in moderation in order to succeed in a well balanced diet.  My Dad always says, “Everything in moderation is a good thing.”  I agree because it gives you the right to indulge!  (In moderation of course)

Just remember back to the 90’s when the food pyramid was the iconographic symbol of the decade.  The thing was popping up everywhere, in grocery stores, on purses and on cooking accoutrement such as aprons.  Ah yes, the food pyramid was the pioneer for labeling possessions, the precursor and grand poo-bah for modern Andy Warholits who think they are oh so original.

The food pyramid has taken a back seat and has allowed dietary nuances to sprout in its place.  Through American discourse about food, they feel like they can alter its dominant presence.  In actuality it is the obsession with the discussion that leads to more overeating. Our society is obsessed with eating, and it shows through obesity.

As you go through this next week count the number of times the topic of food is brought up.  I assure you, you will loose count due to its frequent occurrence.  Try balancing the amount of time you talk about food with other comforts, like love lives, wicked professors, or lazy landlords, and just maybe, you will see those pounds fade away.

Good Luck!

Sara Olds majors in Art History and enjoys long walks.