Eat everywhere: Instant noodles, body and diet space
Date Issued
2010
Date
2010
Author(s)
Chen, Chih-Hsiuan
Abstract
Many studies of convenience food focus on the impact of its convenience on modern society. However, we cannot fully understand the uniqueness of instant noodles as foods if our discussions are constrained on the level of convenience.
In this research, in-depth interviews with people who love instant noodles were used to explore the interrelations between instant noodles and social relations in daily diet. I proposed the distinction of junk food with convenience food and discussed the vacillation between taste and health in the experience of consuming instant noodles.
It is found that people regulate the number of times, amount, frequency and cooking methods of food to transform the meaning of instant noodles. They not only concern and pursue health but also enjoy the pleasure of eating "junk food." The convenience of instant noodles provides people with the possibility of reorganizing soci.al relations in eating. In addition, it helps them to regain control of the relationship between body and food.
Body, as the origin and basis of experience and action, such as the desire to eat, what to eat, and cooking skills, is also the field of social forces which include the ideology of healthy body, the social role of cooking labor, and eating habits, and specific tastes. Body forms the basis of the interaction of people and food which decide who is the cook, how to cook, the definition of a meal or snack, the frequency of eating, where to eat and with whom. Eating "unhealthy" foods rewrites the meaning of pleasure constructed by commodity culture. With the premise of meeting the physical needs, the convenience brought about all the possibility to respond to the limitations of space. When Food choices under restricted by system, eating the "different" food becomes a way of resistance and regaining pleasure. In mobile experiences, the familiar taste reconnect people with senses of place. Only by understanding the significance of choice, can we really understand the relations of people and food and find way to change them.
Subjects
body experience
food
nutritionism
memory
taste of place
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