The Pleasure Principle

“Man in Front of Pastry, 2009”

Last evening I had a phone conversation with my father about why some celiacs don’t adhere to the gluten-free diet. The topic emerged from mixed banter, usually laced with serious insights into human conditions. We came up with a list of speculative reasons.

He suggests that the “pleasure of eating” is so powerful in our lives that it may trump the will of any specialized diet.

Mark Twain said something to the effect of ‘animals eat, but only human beings dine.’ We have table manners (well, some of us), and dishes that come in courses. Courses function in part to regulate food temperature and to stimulate our taste buds. The series of courses is ultimately dictated by taste. Courses help build our anticipation of this pleasure principle.

It’s a given that taste is fundamental. If you have a fondness for, let’s say, pizza, it’s a loss -- like losing a friend -- when you can’t have it anymore. Taste, like smell, has a potency that can be remembered.

Taste is emotional.

My father’s reflection on pleasure is one of deep fondness for flour foods. He would struggle adhering to the GF diet if he was celiac. He’s really quite an old-school pastry man; he frequents Jewish and Italian bakeries for old-fashioned crullers, scones, and cheese and apple tarts. He makes pies, custards, and cakes regularly.

My theory is grounded in food as social ritual. I believe that in addition to pleasure, food choices are largely based on current cultural traditions. For example, it is a cultural tradition for Americans to eat peanuts, popcorn and soda at sporting events. This food ritual became socialized within us over time. We are therefore, conditioned to partake of these snacks at a ballgame. If someone is restricted from these cultural foods, it removes a sense of social connectedness because they are unable to fully participate in the cultural tradition at hand.

To me, this may have an even larger impact on why celiacs have trouble maintaining a gluten-free diet.

With that said, peanuts, popcorn, and soda are safe to eat! :+)