Why You Should Never Eat Alone
There’ll be times in our lives when, despite our best efforts, we’ll find ourselves alone. Whether it’s because our friends are busy, our significant other is out of town, or because we’re just introverts who prefer solitude, eating alone can sometimes be unavoidable. So we shouldn’t beat ourselves up about it.
But what about those times when it’s avoidable and we choose to eat alone? Maybe we have work to do, or we just want some alone time. Should we really be choosing to eat by ourselves?
Absolutely not! In this article, we’ll explore some of the reasons why you should find yourself an eating partner pronto.
8 reasons why you shouldn’t eat alone
1. You’ll be missing out on bonding time
Eating with someone is a great way to bond. Whether it’s a friend or a colleague, sharing a meal together can help you get to know each other better and strengthen your relationship.
You can talk about your day, share stories, and even laugh over shared experiences in a way that simply can’t be replicated when you’re doing anything else together. Don’t ask me why food unites people this way, but it just does.
2. You’ll be less likely to overeat
When you’re eating alone, it’s easy to get carried away and eat more than you need to. After all, there’s no one to judge you or stop you from polishing off that entire pizza by yourself.
But when you’re eating with someone else, you’re more likely to be mindful of what you’re eating and how much you’re consuming. You’ll also be more likely to stop when you’re full, instead of overindulging.
3. You’ll be able to try different foods
If you’re eating alone, you’re probably going to stick to what you know and what you’re comfortable with. But when you’re eating with someone else, you’re more likely to try new foods and dishes that you might not have tried otherwise.
Imagine that you’re out at a restaurant with a friend, and they order something that you’ve never had before. They offer you a taste, and suddenly you find yourself discovering a new favorite dish.
Eating with someone else can help broaden your culinary horizons and introduce you to new flavors and cuisines.
4. You’ll be happier
Eating alone can be a lonely experience, and it’s easy to feel isolated or disconnected from the world around you. But when you’re eating with someone else, you’re more likely to feel happier and more content.
Sharing a meal with someone can be a great way to boost your mood and improve your overall sense of well-being.
5. Food usually tastes better with company
I’m not sure why, but food always seems to taste better when you’re eating with someone else. Maybe it’s because you’re sharing the experience with someone else, or perhaps it’s because you’re more relaxed and happy when you’re in good company. Whatever the reason, food just seems to taste better when you’re eating with someone else.
6. Eating is historically a social activity
Humans have been gathering and sharing meals together since the dawn of time. It’s a fundamental aspect of our culture and society.
In fact, the act of sharing food with someone is often seen as a symbol of trust and friendship. So by choosing to eat alone, you’re missing out on a long and rich history of shared meals and communal dining.
7. You’ll have someone to split the bill with
Let’s be real, eating out, depending on where you go, isn’t always cheap. But when you’re eating with someone else, you can split the bill and save some money.
For instance, you could share starters, a bottle of wine, even desserts, thereby splitting the costs.
8. Eating alone makes you look sad
All right, can we be honest for a minute? While eating alone in the comfort of your home, where no one’s around to judge you, is perfectly fine, eating alone in public, and doing so often, can make you look a little sad.
Now, I’m not saying that there’s anything inherently wrong with it, but if you’re always eating by yourself at restaurants or cafes, people may start to feel sorry for you or wonder why you don’t have any friends.
It’s even worse when you’re surrounded by groups of people laughing and having a good time. You don’t want to be the person sitting there all by themselves, scrolling through their phone while everyone else is enjoying each other’s company.
Wrapping up
Look, we’ve all done it, and I’m sure we’ll all do it again at some point. But if we can avoid eating alone, we should.
Eating with someone else can be a great way to connect with people, try new foods, and boost our mood. Just like our ancestors who gathered around the fire to share a meal, we should continue the tradition of communal dining, whenever possible.
Meal-time is often the only time that we get to take a break from our busy lives and connect with others. So, let’s make the most of it by inviting someone to join us, whether it’s a friend, family member, or colleague.