Food has the magical ability to bring people closer together, whether it’s a family dinner at home or a big party with friends.
At the centre of any family gathering, party or event, you will usually find food. Food can bring people together in a plethora of ways - cooking together, eating together, and learning about food together are excellent ways to bring you and your loved ones closer.
Food is an essential part of everyone’s life, without it, you can’t survive. Since the beginning of time, food and meal time have been keeping families together like nothing else can.
There’s also evidence that suggests - eating together is good for us; studies have shown that families who eat together are healthier, benefiting from lower rates of depression and obesity along with higher rates of self-esteem and literacy.
Here are three ways that describe how food brings people together.
It lets you stay connected
A sit-down dinner or even an ice cream run allows us to talk and catch up with our friends and family members and check in on how they are doing. It’s important to keep in touch with the people in your life, especially if you’re busy.
It gives you a safe space to talk about your days, your ups and downs, your fears and anxieties, your joys and successes. Sharing a meal together is also a great way to maintain your relationships.
It can be highly beneficial to have close people in your life to lean on throughout life’s challenges.
Connectedness with the people you surround yourself with highly benefits your well-being, so be sure to take a break from your busy routine and enjoy a meal with somebody.
Learn about history and culture
Not only can people learn about their own cultures through food, but they can learn about other cultures and their histories, as well. Certain dishes often have distinctive meanings and purposes.
For example, Mexicans offer sugar skull cookies to their lost loved ones during the Day of the Dead. Learning the reasons behind customs promotes tolerance and respect for the cultures to which they belong.
Many cities hold festivals celebrating their local traditions or traditions that have immigrated. For example, Oktoberfest is part of German culture, but countries around the world, including South Africa also celebrate it.
While people may come to enjoy the food and drinks, they often walk away with positive feelings about the culture they celebrate.
Provides comfort
What is the best way to cheer someone up? Comfort food! Be it warm cookies or chicken noodle soup, you will feel better if you have something you love to eat.
Don’t you always feel better when you have had a rough day and your mom or sibling comes into your room with your favourite dinner?
Even eating something from your childhood will bring back happy memories. Such as eating a dish that you used to have with a loved one that has gone.