You are what you eat — and who you share it with

24 Sep You are what you eat — and who you share it with

We have all heard the saying, you are what you eat.

It is usually used as a reminder to choose fresh food, eat more vegetables, drink more water and make healthier decisions.

And while nutrition is undeniably important, perhaps there is another side to the saying.

Sometimes what nourishes us most isn’t simply the food or drink in front of us.

Sometimes it is the people sitting around the table.

A shared meal with family. A coffee with a close friend. A barbecue that stretches into the evening. A glass of wine accompanied by laughter, conversation and people who make us feel completely at ease.

Great company can be good for us too.

Food Has Always Been About Connection

Food is rarely just fuel.

Some of our strongest memories are connected to meals and the people we shared them with.

Sunday roasts. Birthday cakes. Family recipes. Christmas lunches. Fish and chips on the beach. A spontaneous dinner with friends when nobody really wanted the evening to end.

These occasions may not always represent perfect nutrition, but they can provide something equally valuable — connection.

Sitting down together creates an opportunity to talk, listen, laugh and slow down.

And in a world where so much communication happens through screens, sharing food face-to-face can feel increasingly important.

Healthy Doesn’t Have to Mean Perfect

Wellbeing can become complicated when we begin treating every meal as a test of whether we have been “good” or “bad”.

A healthy lifestyle should have room for enjoyment.

There will be salads and smoothies, but there may also be birthday cake.

There will be water, but sometimes there might be a celebratory drink with friends.

There will be home-cooked meals and occasionally takeaway eaten around the kitchen bench after a long day.

Balance allows us to enjoy these moments without turning wellbeing into another source of pressure.

Sometimes the healthiest choice isn’t necessarily what’s on the menu.

It is saying yes to the invitation.

Surround Yourself With Positive People

The people we spend time with can influence the way we feel about ourselves and the world around us.

Positive people don’t need to be endlessly cheerful. They are simply the people who encourage us, support us and leave us feeling better rather than drained.

They celebrate our successes without competition.

They listen when things aren’t going well.

They make us laugh.

They remind us not to take everything too seriously.

And importantly, they allow us to be ourselves.

Just as we think about what we put into our bodies, it can be worthwhile thinking about what — and who — we allow into our lives.

Make the Table a Meeting Place

One of the simplest ways to strengthen relationships is to create more opportunities to eat together.

Invite friends over without worrying whether the house is spotless.

Cook something simple.

Take a picnic to the park.

Meet someone for breakfast.

Make dinner at home an occasion rather than something eaten separately while looking at different screens.

It doesn’t need to be elaborate.

Often the meals we remember most aren’t the expensive ones. They are the ones where the conversation was good and nobody noticed how much time had passed.

Nourish More Than Your Body

Eating well matters.

Moving our bodies matters.

Sleeping well matters.

But so do friendship, laughter, belonging and feeling connected to other people.

Perhaps being healthy is not just about adding years to our lives.

It is also about adding life to our years.

So enjoy the nourishing meals. Choose foods that make you feel good. Take care of your body.

But don’t forget to nourish your relationships as well.

Because sometimes the healthiest thing on the table isn’t the food at all.

It’s the people sitting around it.

If this article has inspired you to think about your unique situation and, more importantly, what you and your family are going through right now, please get in touch with your advice professional.

This information does not consider any person’s objectives, financial situation, or needs. Before making a decision, you should consider whether it is appropriate in light of your particular objectives, financial situation, or needs.

(Feedsy Exclusive)