Written by- Prince Bhagtani
As ‘Crumbledore’ once rightly said, “Happiness can be found even in the smallest of crumbs, if only one remembers to savor each one right.”
Crumbledore is literally my spirit animal. Our ideas of food resonate greatly. Food, as we see it, is a coin with 2 prominent sides: Nutrition and joy.
A trial conducted in Australia by epidemiologist Felice Jacka of Deakin University showed a healthy diet more effective in treating depression than a one-on-one companionship and social support. Such recent studies have pragmatically brought to light the relationship between mental health and food.
Many generations ago, mental conflict and conditions arriving from a disturbed state of mind were considered taboo. The people who were fit but probably didn’t eat adequately, or refused to follow the dietary methods dictated by the societal norms were called possessed or cursed. They were gravely discriminated against; they were stigmatized. The use of the verb stigmatized instantly connotes negativity.
The term stigma was initially coined by the Greeks to label criminals and slaves. Just imagining a society where people with mental illnesses had the same status as the lowest class of the society, where many were forced to suppress their disturbed minds as they feared becoming an outcast and lacked freedom of expression and equality is just obscuring according to modern societal beliefs.
Today’s society isn’t all pure either. If we were to treat physically challenged individuals how we treat mentally challenged individuals today, it would be a laughing stock. “It’s just a phase. Its all in your mind. You are overthinking it. Just take some rest. Don’t be ridiculous. Blah. Blah. Blah.” These are common phrases the average person with depression or any chronic mental issue hears on a daily basis, globally. However, the same applies to people with eating disorders.
Eating disorders might be considered a lifestyle choice but they are quite the opposite. The person facing them has no other choice but to obey their body demands and needs. If we truly want to build a free society, people must be free to eat whatever and however they want. We should not impose our own cultural values and knowledge of culinary practices on them. The needs of your body vary from those around you.
If we truly wish for mental peace, we must not restrict individuals on matters as petite as food. Isn’t that how diversity is destroyed in the first place? The human body is unpredictable. However, it is that very essence of uniqueness that intrigues us, that makes life more enjoyable! If the monochromatic television was enough, there would have never been the need of colored TVs. If food is eaten just for the sake of nutrition, can we truly call it a balanced diet? Eating the way, you don’t want to… that just takes all the joy out of the food.
The purpose of this article is not to raise pity but to raise awareness for people who have eating disorders. The aim is to promulgate the spirit of inclusion. Embrace the diversity of lifestyle around yourself. Why call it a ridiculous method of eating when it could just be another way of healing.