Life Examined
Food: The history, addiction, and ritual
From hunter gatherers and agrarian societies to colonialism and corporate conglomerates, the need to eat has played a pivotal role in shaping our evolution. It has driven human history and shaped our past.
By Jonathan Bastian • • 52m ListenFrom hunter gatherers and agrarian societies to colonialism and corporate conglomerates, the need to eat has played a pivotal role in shaping our evolution. It has driven human history and shaped our past. But is the instinct that helped our ancestors survive being manipulated today? Is our food being deliberately designed and marketed to be more addictive? Also, simple rituals and slowing down may help us better connect with our food, ourselves, and nature.
In this episode
2 storiesHow eating has shaped our past and defines our future, according to Mark Bittman
Food has played an important role in human history and evolution. By eating more and higher quality calories, our brains grew larger and we became more clever and thoughtful about finding and growing our food.
Read the story21 minMany foods are more addictive than smoking. How to break unhealthy eating habits?
Ever wondered why it’s so hard to eat just one Dorrito, Oreo or M&M? Why do we crave sugar and salt when we know healthier options are available?
Read the story31 min
