Author: Kirsten Jackson, Consultant Dietitian and Spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association (BDA).
What does food mean to you? On a basic level, food is ‘just fuel’ and with the rise in social media messaging we are often led to believe that this should be our only connection with food. This, oversimplified, outlook on food often leads to concern around the impact on someone’s health when we think about Ramadan, with the meals we break fast with often being heavier or including higher sugar and fat foods than we would typically consume.
This one-dimensional look at Ramadan does not consider the multiple health benefits of food during this time. Firstly, we need to look at the simple act of sharing meals with others. When we look across all cultures, the act of sharing food is considered one of intimacy and often connected to spirituality. Whether it’s breaking fast during Ramadan as a Muslim, sharing bread and wine as a Christian, or gathering for a Shabbat meal as a Jew, the act of eating together is deeply rooted in all cultures and religions. Even outside of religious contexts, food remains a powerful connector. Simple acts of sharing—whether through dinner parties or bringing a homemade cake to work—are common, because humans are not just biological creatures; we thrive on connection.
With the rates of depression, social isolation and loneliness on the rise, sharing meals can be a simple way to connect with others you would not have otherwise talked to. Eating food takes time and so we naturally start conversations that then potentially lead to connections that last beyond that one meal.
Eating meals with others rather than on our own has also been shown to reduce the risk of obesity as we often eat more slowly and mindfully, enjoying the experience rather than ‘just eating the fuel.’ Interestingly, this can also help our digestive system by triggering our ‘parasympathetic nervous system’ which is our ‘rest and digest’ nervous system. By doing this you allow your gut to relax and function as optimally as possible.
And if you consider the types of food someone may make for you or vice versa, it is less likely to be processed and instead more likely to be made from scratch. This means the nutritional value of that meal is much higher than maybe something you would have consumed on your own.
So yes, there are some foods we need to be mindful not to over consume which are high in sugar and fat. But overall the act of coming together and sharing food is extremely beneficial for both physical and mental health.
Written in collaboration with the British Dietetic Association
Dietitians are qualified and regulated health professionals that assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems at an individual and wider public health level.
They use the most up-to-date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease which they translate into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.
The BDA provides a number of helpful resources on food and nutrition. Visit bda.uk.com/FoodFacts to find out more.
