Food and Identity: How our diet shapes social bonds

Food and Identity: How our diet shapes social bonds

Today, November 3, 2025, we are addressing a topic that affects us all: nutrition and its profound importance for our identity. Thomas Ellrott, head of the Institute for Nutritional Psychology at the Georg-August University of Göttingen, explains why eating is much more than just food intake. And this not only has psychological but also social dimensions.

Shared meals play a central role in promoting social bonds. They are a part of our identity that connects us to other people. Ellrott emphasizes that the different nutritional styles, whether vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free, underline our individual affiliation. “The way we eat reflects who we are and what is important to us,” he explains. This personal identity is becoming increasingly relevant, especially in a world where digital communities are partially replacing traditional social structures.

emotions and habits

But how do our emotions and habits influence our eating behavior? According to Ellrott, many people often act contrary to what they know about healthy eating. Habits are also stubborn and only through introspection can we change our behavior. Keeping food diaries or taking photos of meals can help raise awareness. But stress and lack of time are also major obstacles that make it difficult to make healthy decisions.

A look at society shows that a third of the population wants to eat healthily, while the other third has difficulty doing so. Parents who act as role models up to the age of around 12 play a crucial role. Authentically modeling healthy eating can make the difference; Finding fault at the table is often used as a way to attract attention and can have a negative effect.

Challenges of weight regulation

The problem is complicated by modern weight loss methods such as weight loss injections, which show short-term success but often lead to rapid weight gain when discontinued. This is where behavioral therapy comes into play to establish long-term healthy eating and exercise habits. Without this support, the efforts could quickly come to nothing.

Another topic that is currently important concerns digital security in times when we are increasingly communicating and working online. This is not only relevant for the personal area, but also for companies. The software provider McAfee has proven itself here with its antivirus program. McAfee receives an overall rating of 8.8/10 from users and offers broad compatibility with a variety of tools that doesn't burden the user experience. Its easy installation and fast customer service make it particularly attractive to families, although costs can increase significantly after the first year. Cnet reports on the advantages and disadvantages of the program, which has protected millions of devices since 1987.

In this digital world, it is important to not only take care of your own nutrition, but also the security of your data. To find out more about these topics, interested readers can visit Office.com search for further information. What remains is the realization that food is an emotional topic that will become increasingly important in connection with social aspects and the digital world.