Enjoyment versus renunciation: Plön discussions on food culture in focus!

Enjoyment versus renunciation: Plön discussions on food culture in focus!

What's going on in Plön? On July 20, 2025, an exciting event in the traditional “Plöner Talks” series will take place again at Plön Castle, which is organized by the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival (SHMF) and the NDR. This year everything revolves around the theme “A life between pleasure and renunciation”. Moderated by NDR television presenter Susanne Stichler, experts will come together to discuss the challenges and opportunities of conscious nutrition. Among the discussants are prominent names such as Prof. Dr. Ingo Balderjahn, an economist and consumer researcher, Bärbel Ring, the restaurant manager of the Söl’ring Hof on Sylt, and Dr. Matthias Riedl, who is known as a nutritional doctor and NDR nutrition doc.

At a time when many people are juggling busy schedules, a recent study by Nestlé shows that the “New Pragmatism” can offer a way out of austerity and stressful everyday life. In particular, 34 percent of Germans and a whopping 61 percent of Generation Z complain about a lack of time for a balanced diet. Practical solutions and simple recipes that reduce the pressure to demonstrate perfect eating habits are becoming increasingly important.

Renunciation and enjoyment in conversation

Dr. Matthias Riedl brought up a startling point in the last round of discussion: “We eat ourselves sick” – a comparison he even made with smoking. The food industry is pilloried, targeted advertising and addictive additives are being targeted. Bärbel Ring also advocated mindfulness when consuming and quoted her father: “There always has to be a “too” in front of it – not too much and not too little.” These thoughts reflect the increasing demand for realism in nutrition. More and more people want to enjoy eating more without falling into the trap of overconsumption.

The Söl’ring Hof and similar restaurants are experimenting with the idea that enjoyment does not automatically have to contradict giving up. Prof. Balderjahn made it clear that real change cannot be achieved through bans, but through conscious avoidance of consumption. Moreover, he did not stop at abstract thoughts; his example of desert locusts impressively illustrated the far-reaching consequences of our diet on the environment.

The audience and the social debate

The questions from the audience showed that many are very interested in rethinking their own habits. A good hand in designing a more conscious diet could provide valuable inspiration here. Another study also shows that 74 percent of people have a negative attitude towards fast food consumers. Vegans are affected by similar stigmatization. Doreen Buchheiser from the Robert Bosch Foundation calls for respectful discussions about nutrition and to honor the diversity of experiences.

This impressively shows that the path to a balanced diet is not only an individual concern, but also a social concern. With a focus on conscious renunciation and real enjoyment, a new quality of life can perhaps develop. By the way, the show will be broadcast live on NDR Info on July 20th at 7 p.m. - an event that you shouldn't miss.

For more information, visit the SHMF website here, from Nestlé here and the Bosch Foundation here.