What’s with the obsession with food?

[runoutofgoodusernames]

So many threads about:
What shall I have for dinner?
Any ideas for some healthy dinners?
Blah blah blah food!

Am I the only person alive that really doesn’t care about food? I eat some kind of cereal/ yogurt combo for breakfast, sometimes forget lunch, whoops, and don’t even think about dinner other than ‘mmm bit peckish, what’s in the freezer?!’

Is this a ‘thing’ or am I abnormal? The world seems obsessed with food doesn’t it? I just eat to not die basically, what am I missing?

Some people enjoy food, some people don't its as simple as that. People aren't obsessed, they might just be foodies.

I was like you before kids, after kids I’m totally like what should/need to cook, healthy meals etc. And it’s gets boring AF cooking and thinking of healthy meals.

For us food is one of the great pleasures in life and sitting down to a delicious home cooked meal all together is a really important part of our day.

Same!

I really enjoy food and cooking and love trying new things. As with everything in life, people enjoy/are interested in different things!

To me that is bizarre. Food is really important to my life. Meal planning is regularly in my mind. Most days, I decide the next days food pretty early in the day. I would never just decide what to eat at the last minute. But I get very cross if my food is not up to par, or if I have to eat a meal I don't like. However I can understand that we are all different, so your approach is as reasonable as mine!

I'm probably one of those people irl, but only because I can find it draining sometimes thinking of, shopping for and cooking nutrious meals that the whole family will eat...every single day...for what feels like forever 😅

Many people enjoy cooking and eating a lovely meal, or cooking something for the family to enjoy?
Food can delight the senses and be something to really look forward to!
Your food sounds very dull to me. Haven’t you ever cooked something you loved? Take it you don’t have kids?

I'm not a foodie at all, but getting a tasty meal served up to you is great like. (Mum's quiche and casserole.....)

I wish I was like you. An eat to live, food is fuel type. Sadly I'm a live to eat, food is dopamine/serotonin/numbness/comfort/nurture/security/pleasure type! 😢

I do have kids but they are old enough to decide what they do and don’t like and to get their own. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll cook a Sunday roast etc. and everyone eats healthily but just can’t be arsed with giving it headspace! I’m alive and healthy, just listen to what my body needs which clearly isn’t much! Would love to get in a ‘foodie’ persons brain to see what all the fuss is about 😂

Bless you. Isn’t it weird how everyone is so different? Wish I’d continued my psychology degree to work out the logic!

Sorry that was aimed at @RandyAndTheRainbows

We certainly are all different and it's fascinating.

I love the food threads and trying out new recipes.

That sounds joyless. Out of interest, what do you give headspace to instead? Even dreary meals have to be shopped for, so I'm not convinced that eating to stay alive is going to free up time to write your great novel/PhD.

I used to eat weetabix for dinner quite often and didn't care about food.
Now I have a family and I'm either shopping, cooking or thinking about food. It's too much for me but I want my dc to have healthy balanced meals.
I try to avoid too much processed food which means more time prepping food.
Seeing as I'm cooking anyway, I try out new recipes and look for ideas for meals so it doesn't get too boring.

Well , it’s not rocket science 😂

I'm much the same, OP. Breakfast is cereal and a coffee, always has been. Lunch is sandwiches, only question is what filling. Dinner these days is served by the retirement village I live in, so I don't have to think about it past checking the week's menu ahead of time in case there's something I dislike (silverside and cabbage, or anything spicy, for instance). I hate cooking and never did elaborate meals, and am so grateful I don't have to do more than reheat stuff now.

I think its also that the cost of food has increased so much.

People who would just call a takeaway if they couldnt be bothered cooking dont have that option anymore.

People who would just chuck stuff in their trolleys and swipe their card are mentally totting up going round the supermarket.

People who were just about managing are now finding themselves with tiny food budgets and working out how to keep body and soul together.

Food is occupying a greater part of people's thoughts than previously

It's quite something that a grown adult can be baffled by the concept of people liking... food.

Without food we would die but unless it is only the same people posting the food threads I wouldn't take it as an obsession

The older I get, the more I focus on healthy eating and avoiding UPF, refined carbs and sugar. I try to eat the rainbow - lots of different vegetables, herbs and fruit - and a fair bit of lean protein - mostly chicken, salmon, prawns and eggs.

Feeling so much better and more energetic as a result. It has become a habit, so I don't actually spend a lot of time planning or prepping. But I still like to try new recipes every now and again, just for a bit of variety and because I enjoy it.

I'm in no way a foodie, and my cooking skills are very basic, but I still like to eat something tasty. I think food is more than just something to fuel our bodies, there should be some joy in eating or we might as well all just eat a few pills every day to get the required nutrients.

I'm the same as you OP, I only eat because you have to for fuel.

I have zero interest in food, certainly don't get excited about it and just eat when I'm hungry. The thought of having to go out for a meal, nope would rather give it a miss.