Signs of Obsession with Food at an Early Age

Whether we want to admit it or not, everyone is obsessed with food. Food is one thing every living thing on this planet must have to survive. Humans are born with this instinctive need to eat and it follows us throughout our lives.

A Tree Full of Bread:

When a child is raised on a ranch or farm setting, they grow up more aware of where their food comes from. As a young mother, my eldest son was helping me to water the twigs my husband and I had planted in the yard. As we moved from tree to tree, we talked about how someday those tiny twigs would provide us with apples, peaches or cherries. We moved on to the front yard where tiny shade trees struggled to take root and grow. "Brian, this is a hybrid Popular. One day it will help to shade the house."

I moved on to the next little tree and glanced back, surprised when the three year old did not follow. He was intently studying the tree with a puzzled frown on his face, "Mom, when will the high bread tree grow bread?"

How Do You Like Your Steak?

It was just a few short years later that my daughter, Jeni, again pointed out just how fascinated we are with food. My husband who does not cook was making a big production as he stood in front of the grill. He asked guests, "How do you like your steaks?"

The replies ran the range from "well," "medium," to "rare." Finally, he turned to the two year old who was watching the grill and her father's antics so closely, "Jeni, how do you like your steak?"

"Big."

Soup or Salad?

Even our youngest proved once again just how fascinated we are with food. David was four years old and, as a treat, we had gone to a local restaurant for supper. The waitress was busy scribbling each order in turn. She came to David and asked if he would like "Soup or salad?"

David's reply of "Yes" had the waitress, as well as the rest of us doing a double take. David notched up his chin a bit higher as all of our eyes were on him, "I will have the super salad."

It took a while for all of us to stop laughing and the waitress to finish taking David's order. Today, we still cannot go into a restaurant without one of us making a crack about wanting a super salad.

Even as adults, my children are still fascinated with food. And I must admit that food fascinates me as well. David still wants his super salad, Brian loves his bread, and Jeni wants her steak "big." And life goes on with well fueled appetites.