Food Phrases used too lightly

drifterdani6886's picture

Many phrases referring to food are used way too lightly. I know that all of us are guilty of doing this at least once or more in our life times. I have heard the phrases "We have nothing to eat!" and "I am starving to death!"But these phrases are being misused in a way that may be offensive to some people.

Often when we say "There is nothing to eat" we really mean "There is nothing the I WANT to eat" or "There is nothing that SOUNDS good to eat." While you can look in the fridge, freezer, and cabinets and clearly find plenty of food, just nothing we are craving or in the mood for. I have learned you eat what you have and sometimes what we had was a few pieces of bread, a piece of cheese, or a potato. So I would go over to friend's house and when offered, I would chow down on as much food as I could, respectfully of course.

I would hear alot of my friend's say "Dad you need to go shopping we have no food." But I clearly saw enormous amounts of food that I was not used to seeing. I would get so angry thinking "I will take all the food if you want me to!". Hell it is name brand and there is alot of it. Not that generic brand foods really taste that much different, I found some to even taste better.

I have often used the phrase "I am starving to death." then I actually thought about it. I should actually say "I am very hungry" because in all reality when we say " I am starving to death" we probably really aren't. I have hit the point in starving where you are not even hungry anymore, then the hunger will randomly hit you like you have been punched in the stomach. So intense that you feel as though you are dying. Then the dizziness, sleepiness, and nausea kicks in and you start to feel as though you are in a different world. Of course this started off by having walking pneumonia , but after that it was self-inflicted hunger when I was anorexic, but it was as close to starving to death that I will ever get.

So next time you are hungry NOT starving remember to keep into consideration that there really are people who ARE actually starving. When you are looking for a delicious meal to eat be happy that you have food. Realise that there is nothing you WANT and not the fact that you don't have any food. It just goes to show you that hunger and starving are two seperate things that are being taken too lightly and even if you do not see anything you want to eat, it doesn't mean you do not have any food. Suck it up and eat what you have and learn to use words they way they were ment to be used!

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ediblewoman's picture
Volunteer for the Progressive U Alumni Association

Are you familiar with The Onion? It is a satirical newspaper. They used to have a feature called "Point, Counterpoint" in which they presented two opposing views on an issue. When I was in the eating disorders unit, my best friend brought me the latest copy and the Point article was called, "Oh My God, I Am So Starving." It was (supposed to be) written by a 15-year-old girl who was super pissed that her mom never bought any good snacks and they were always out of pop. The Counterpoint to her article was also called "Oh My God I Am So Starving," and it was (supposedly) written by an African man whose family was barely surviving a drought. It certainly gave me some perspective on my efforts to starve myself! None of my fellow patients found it as funny and ironic as I did, though. ;)

http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman

drifterdani6886's picture
Member of the Progressive U Alumni Association

Actually no, but I will have to check that out. Sounds quite fasinating!

http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
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ediblewoman's picture
Volunteer for the Progressive U Alumni Association

http://www.theonion.com/content/index

They don't have that particular story anymore, as it was published ten years ago, but there is plenty more to enjoy! They're hilarious!

http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman

green underbelly's picture

Have you fasted lately? This article made me want to get back into it. Supposedly you're supposed to ease into the diet, less and less food beforehand, so that you don't pass out like the click of a switch.

It's a really healthy, cleansing experience. I'm about to write a post about it. Hope to see your reaction. Cheerio

"Children, parents, senior citizens (with a good back and great kneecaps) neeed to get on a BIKE!!! A BIKE!!!!! A BIKE!!!!! A BIKE !!!!!" -- NASAscifi

drifterdani6886's picture
Member of the Progressive U Alumni Association

I can not eat at work it makes me sick because I move around alot. Then I normally might eat when I get home or might not. I agree that fasting is good to do once in awhile but I can easily fall back into my eating disorder if I fast too much. I'll be sure to read it.

http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
Love comments? I do too!

KrisanMD's picture

I like this because I am guilty of having said those things when I lived at home. Now though, when I say I have nothing to eat... I really have nothing to eat! It is an awful feeling, and I love food so that stinks. Some times I am just eating cheese and then, some more cheese. So now I can say I have nothing to eat without being a brat!

Après la pluie le beau temps.

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This is good. My sister does this all the time, but it bugs the crap out ofme. I thought I was just being wierd and taking what she said too litereally, but alas, im not alone! Saying "Im starving" or "there NOTHING to eat" is too dramatic and usually never the case.

burningexample's picture
Volunteer for the Progressive U Alumni Association

Now, I know I'm not starving, but when I say "there is nothing to eat" or "I have no food in my fridge," it literally means that my cupboards are empty except for a few packets of kool-aid and my fridge has nothing sitting next to the last capri-sun and I really am hungry with no way of eating until I find a way to pay for it.

As is the college and retail life.

----

Your Tongue is a Rudder; It Steers the Whole Ship, Sends Your Words Past Your Lips or Keeps Them Safe Behind Your Teeth... [Brand New]

Ugh. Thats what I have to look forward to next year. not cool.

And when I said that such sayings are usually or always overdramatic, I didn't put a lot of thought in it, because i know there are a lot of people who have to choose between food or text books or medicine.

misnomer's picture

At the day camp where I work I like to prevent the kids from getting into this habit when they ask me when snacks are. They will say, "I'm starving to death!" and, mostly to annoy them, I reply, "A person can go for three weeks with out food, and I know you ate at least yesterday, so you still have 20 days to go." I'm not sure this is the most appropriate response, but hopefully I give them something to think about.

Like what you've read? Well, then here's more:
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/tricia0711

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