Starling Fitness: Daily writings on Fitness, Diet, and Health

This entry on Washington Post’s website reviews a series of books that deal with food and hunger.

• The Washington Post – Eating . . . by Josh Friedland

Hunger: An Unnatural History by Sharman Apt Russell: This looks like the most interesting book Josh reviews in this entry. He says:

Russell attempted to experience true hunger herself through fasting. But she gave up after just four days, not from hunger pangs, she says, but out of ennui: “I didn’t want food anymore. I wanted the meaning behind food. I wanted to go for a walk. I wanted to clean the house . . . . I was bored. So I ate an orange.” Hunger is much easier to take when it’s optional.

Hunger can be used as a weapon in political protests. Hunger can be used as a torture in concentration camps. Hunger can be used as a religious practice. Our bodies are so much more than just the flesh and bone and food to fuel them with.