Writers 
FOOD IS LIFE
There are some things in life that we can survive without, but food is definitely not one of them. You can survive a day without your phone, you can stay away from social media for a few hours, and you might even forget to charge your earphones. But try staying away from food for too long, and suddenly everything becomes a problem. Your mood changes, your energy disappears, and even the smallest thing begins to look annoying. Truly, food is life.
Food is more than something we eat when our stomachs are empty. It is part of our daily lives. From the moment we wake up, food is already somewhere in our thoughts. “What are we eating this morning?” is a question that can determine how the rest of the day feels. For some people, breakfast is the beginning of a productive day. For others, it is simply the reason they are willing to get out of bed.
Then comes lunch.
This is where things get serious.
Imagine sitting in class while your stomach is making sounds louder than the lecturer. You try to concentrate, but your mind is no longer on the lesson. It has travelled straight to the nearest food seller. You start imagining rice, noodles, beans, bread, or anything edible. At that point, food is no longer a luxury. It has become an emergency.
And when the food finally arrives, there is a special kind of happiness that cannot easily be explained.
Food also has a way of bringing people together. Think about family gatherings. People may come for different reasons, but once food is served, everybody suddenly becomes united. Friends who have been arguing can sit together over a plate of food. Families can spend hours talking around a dining table. Even strangers can become friends after sharing a meal.
There is something beautiful about saying, “Have you eaten?” It may sound like an ordinary question, but sometimes it carries genuine concern. In many homes, asking someone if they have eaten is another way of asking, “Are you okay?”
Food also carries memories. Sometimes, a particular meal can take you back to your childhood. The smell of a certain soup can remind you of home. A particular snack can remind you of school. Even the taste of food prepared by someone you love can remain in your memory for years.
Of course, food is important for our bodies too. It gives us energy to learn, work, play and carry out our everyday activities. A hungry person may struggle to focus, while someone who has eaten properly is often more prepared to face the day.
But perhaps the funniest thing about food is that we can say we are full one minute and still accept food when someone offers it.
“I’m full.”
“Do you want some chicken?”
“Just a little.”
Five minutes later, the chicken has mysteriously disappeared.
That is the power of food.
Food is life because it nourishes us, connects us, comforts us and gives us countless memories. It reminds us that some of the simplest things can bring the greatest joy.
So the next time someone asks, “What is life about?” there may be many serious answers. Success, love, purpose, family and happiness all matter.
But somewhere in the middle of all those answers, there is probably a hungry person saying:
“Please, can we talk after I eat?”
