I recently came to understand the meaning of this saying. For a long time, I thought of food as a usual thing everyone does to survive. The richer a person, the higher quality (and usually more expensive) food they consume. Poor people had to accept their circumstances and consume whatever food they could afford.

But I was wrong. A person’s consumption patterns and food choices reflect who they are and the quality of life they desire. This issue is not related to social status or wealth. When someone is conscious of their food choices, they have defined themselves well.

A self-aware person will choose and then consume food that is good for the body and the soul’s health. In Islam, for example, the soul needs halal food. Muslims are required to consume halal food, both in terms of ingredients and in terms of financial resources to get food.

What about the body?
The body needs food that can maintain its function and performance as a human being. Not all foods can have that effect. Most dishes in the world are designed to please the human palate and throat; few actually improve health or maintain good body function.

For the past six months, I’ve been struggling to recover my health. Initially, I relied on medication. It didn’t work. I started jogging regularly. It helped just a little, but not completely. After I started a diet free of rice and oily foods, my health stabilized. I eat tubers, eggs, and lots of vegetables and fruits. I feel much better now.

What I’ve been consuming lately has DEFINED me, shaped who I am today. I feel like I’ve been reborn.