This is a talking point published by the Hereford Times on August 29.

Reverend Canon James Pacey, chancellor of Hereford Cathedral

I will soon be heading on holiday and am looking forward to lazy days, beautiful sights, and delicious food.

In the 19th century, French connoisseur Anthelme Brillat Savarin wrote: “Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are,” a phrase we interpret today as “you are what you eat.”

At its best, this phrase has led to a greater awareness of the need for a nutritious diet and regular exercise.

But at its worst, it has played into the problematic diet culture of fad diets, the celebration of particular body types, and the shunning of anything we might consider ‘bad for us.’

As someone who has in the past struggled with both body image and my relationship with food, I know all too well how toxic this culture can be.

The truth is that we need a breadth of food that will nourish the entirety of our beings – we need the salads, grains, and fruit, but we also need the doughnuts and the chips.

I turned 40 a couple of weeks ago, and you can bet I celebrated with a large pizza and one (or three) glasses of wine.

If we are to be truly healthy people, “you are what you eat” must speak to a broader understanding of nutrition, one that emphasises the importance of feeding both body and soul. But to even use the language of the soul means we need to look more widely.

The reality is that the digital culture of the 21st century, with its immediate access to information, data, and no end of carefully constructed social media narratives, has rebranded “you are what you eat” as “you are what you consume.”

Just as a diet consisting solely of fast food will likely result in physical discomfort, so too will a diet of endless and unregulated TikTok videos, never-ending scrolling, and the bombardment of information from less-than reputable sources. This will result in emotional overload, ongoing feelings of anxiety, and even spiritual distress.

There is a great Christian tradition of fasting: of giving up certain foods or saying ‘no’ to certain practices in order to focus our minds and souls more fully on God.

Nowadays, the ‘digital fast’ or ‘digital detox’ is becoming increasingly popular, where people commit to periods without their electronic devices.

ALSO READ:

What are your thoughts?

You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here.

Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence.

This is not just about stepping away from our screens, but about making room for the experiences, conversations, and people that truly nourish us.

Think about what you have ‘consumed’ lately on your phones or TV. Has that nourished your soul in any way? Would a digital detox help you?

After all, “you are what you consume” applies to every part of our lives. Let’s make sure we’re choosing wisely.