Why real food can make us happy

Basic human psychology tells us that Real food can make us really happy and we should pursue this happiness.

Let me explain:  The satisfaction of finding, growing, cooking and eating great food is amazing, and makes me very happy. Especially when my friends congratulate me on providing such delicious food.  This compares to a ready meal or take away that only satisfies the need of hunger.

According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs this makes complete sense and why real food does make us happy.

According to Maslow, and my experiences, we need to meet all the needs in the pyramid above to be really, long term, happy.

So in food terms, and my example, starting at the bottom of the pyramid;

When it comes to food the physiological need is hunger

The safety need is fulfilled through food in the larder, fridge or veg patch

The need for love/belonging is fulfilled by feeding your loved ones good healthy food

The need for self Esteem, is fulfilled by proudly finding and cooking real food or even growing fresh healthy produce 

And self actualisation is achieved by cooking a delicious meal, perhaps with ingredients from your veg patch, and winning the congratulations from your friends

So comparing real food to a take away;

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Unfortunately we have been told by the marketeers and supermarkets that we are hard working people and do not have time for the drudgery of cooking and entertaining friends. Cooking is no longer taught in schools and we are separated from where our food comes from by the big retailers and middle men.

Happy cook

We are supposed to derive happiness from the convenience of the one stop shop and satisfaction of saving money on cheap food.

To me this is a disaster and means millions of people are missing out on being happy foodies.  It seems we are happy to watch cooking on the TV but can’t get motivated to have a go.

Please think again and become happy foodies, especially encouraging children. We MUST put cooking and growing food on the curriculum!

And as always we welcome your thoughts below.