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Earlier this week I posted a tweet that read:

“Thankful for access to an abundance of clean, nutritious food. Something many of us take for granted far too often #365thanks.”

This gratitude was sparked by a recent experience I had in the grocery store. Tired and in no mood to be grocery shopping at peak hour, I found myself staring at the different varieties of apples, unable to make a decision on which kind to buy. Apples?! Yes, apples.  I couldn’t decide if I wanted tart or sweet, juicy or firm. I just couldn’t decide!

(via)

Thankfully I snapped out of my daze, and although feeling silly and sheepish for even thinking that the variety of apples I chose was such a major decision I had to stand in the produce section for a good 3 minutes, I grabbed my apples and continued shopping. While walking throughout the store I began thinking of how many choices we are confronted with when shopping for food. But what if we didn’t have choices? What if we didn’t even know where our next meal was coming from? I’ll never forget a lecture given by one of my favorite professors during undergrad. She was lecturing about food security vs. food insecurity and how it was more than likely that not one person in the room really knew what true hunger and starvation felt like. Sure, we often use the term “starving” to get the point across as to how hungry we are but we are never really starving, because that feeling we have is quickly laid to rest by the next meal at our earliest opportunity. We may not know where

exactly the food is coming from, but we know it will eventually come.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that food security is based on three pillars:

1. Food availability
2. Food access
3. Food use

I will admit that since I sat in on that lecture, every time I let the words “I’m starving” slip from my lips I immediately rethink my situation. Do I have access to food on a consistent basis? Yes. Do I have sufficient resources to obtain appropriate foods for a nutritious diet? Yes. Do I have basic knowledge with regards to nutrition and care, as well as access to adequate amounts of water and sanitation? Yes.  Well then clearly I am NOT starving!!

So, next time you think you have been hit with the hunger wand or you think your stomach is so empty it must be about touching your spine (yes, I am guilty for using that line), think again. Think about how good your last meal was – or even better – your last 3 meals and be thankful and appreciate all the goodness the nutrients are doing for your body. Because many people don’t even have the opportunity to be thankful for something we often take for granted day in, day out.

For the record, I couldn’t decide on just one type of apple. Two granny smith’s and two gala apples made their way into my basket. And you know what? Taking a moment to give thanks for something that seemed so little as buying apples made me enjoy the fruit that

much more

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