Fast food is characterized by two factors: cheap and tasty food. However, with the rise of the consumerist lifestyle, even cuisine has lost certain attributes that guarantee a food experience. Considered an opposition to this mode of consumption, slow food emerges as a response to the way people eat their meals.
This is because slow food focuses on the quality of food and sensory pleasure, that is, it is the way people relate to food beyond a meal to survive. This is one of the characteristics of this movement, which emerged in Italy in the 1980s as a response to the way of living, and you can learn more about it below.
What is slow food and how does it work?
Slow food can be considered a response to what was happening in the world and that still resonates today: the way of life in consumer society. Excess is not only in the purchase of products, but also in the food and the processes that bring food to the table.
It is also a proposal that takes into account other factors that go beyond flavor and the final product, such as sensory pleasure, interpersonal relationships and food as a source of socialization. It is possible to see this lifestyle as the opposite of fast food, as the goal is not to eat quickly and in any way.
Another characteristic is that slow food tries to rescue traditional ways of consuming and relating to food, so meals are made in a more conscious way , that is, it is not to eat while walking, in front of the computer or television.
The eating style also focuses on factors during the production chain process, so the basis is not only the final product, but also the relationships with the producer, the environment and the way the food is eaten. This relationship is so intrinsic that there are 3 adjectives that characterize the entire process. They are:
Good food
It is a food that tastes good and is of good quality, that is, it is a delicious, beautiful and, consequently, natural meal.
Clean food
Clean food is not necessarily hygienic, but rather ecological. It is produced in a non-polluting and non-aggressive way, which is why we talk about regional products that are healthy for the planet, as they do not harm it.
Fair food
Fair food is food that is positive for both the producer and the end consumer, that is, the price is highlighted. The producer receives a fair price for the food produced and the consumer pays according to the product.
The three concepts above are included in eco gastronomy . It looks at several aspects, such as: the production of the food (environmentally friendly or not), the producer (does he receive a fair price for his product) and whether it is local or not (if it is imported, does it travel many kilometers, does it have fuel costs and does it emit pollutants).
Benefits of slow food
When dealing with slow food, the focus is on raising awareness of the processes and changing lifestyles . In other words, it makes sense to think about the production chain and what the impacts and benefits are on everyone’s lives when adopting the habits of this movement. They are:
1. Awareness
You don’t just eat the food. Slow food is concerned with the process that brought the meal to the table, so you also need to think about the paths that the food took to get to your table.
Is it from a local producer or from the local culture? Is it environmentally friendly? Here, it’s not just the cost that matters, but whether the production process is healthy for the planet and for the people who are taking care of the process. It’s also important that you get a tasty meal that’s fair for everyone in the chain!
2. Changing habits
If you talk about the slow food movement, there is no way to escape changing habits, especially because this style is concerned with the way people consume and eat.
Modern world routines have excessively adapted the way people eat, so it is common to eat in the car, on the couch, in the bedroom, in front of the television and even while walking. Such habits have distanced people from the tradition of eating together with others, without the distraction of technology.
Food can still be the center of a social action (eating around the table, for example). It can be the main link for moments of leisure and quality of life to exist, thus, you realize that meals go beyond survival.
3. Culture development
Everything is culture, and being aware of the production chain is a factor in developing these bonds. Food is more than just a prepared dish; it is the choice of ingredients combined with preparation. This is even more powerful when you combine local culture with local ingredients, so you can eat well and eat typical meals where you live.
This impact is important because the movement focuses on regionality, that is, it escapes a little from the global lifestyle that is promoted in modern life. Thus, it is possible to eat differently, without spending a lot and still respecting the environment!
4. Sustainable production
It makes no sense to kill the planet to produce food . Pesticides, pollutants and biodiversity devastation, this mass production model destroys the environment so that cheap meals can be on your table.
In addition, the excessive use of preservatives needs to be reduced, especially due to the excess of industrialized products, with low nutritional content and excess carbohydrates. In the end, these more affordable options cost the planet dearly!
Slow food is allied to agroecology, another movement that focuses on sustainable production and demand, that is, the rhythm of nature is respected and there is no need to add preservatives to food to make it last, nor flavorings to make it taste good. It is a collective construction that respects local people and local cultures!
How to join the slow food movement?
Slow food is not an expensive reality, it is an alternative to the unsustainable consumption that the world experiences due to globalization and consumerism, so it is possible to research, learn about and adapt to a new lifestyle.
Eating slowly is positive and this lifestyle will teach you ways to do this, but for knowledge purposes you can follow the tips below.
At home: set aside time to eat and don’t bring problems to solve, i.e. no phone or other electronic device. It would also be ideal to eat slowly and at a leisurely pace, i.e. have a set time to eat and get used to eating at a different pace.
When out and about: Avoid fast food, processed foods, and busy restaurants. Choose local restaurants or those that serve artisanal and organic products, as they are likely to be good, clean, and fair.
Remember that slow food defends social causes and protects biodiversity , so don’t think it’s just about eating well and cheaply, you need to review your habits so that you can also do your part for a better world!