The Philosophical Roots: Brillat-Savarin and Feuerbach
To understand who said we become what we eat, we must first travel back to 19th-century Europe, where the sentiment first emerged. The modern, health-focused interpretation is a far cry from its initial philosophical context. The first documented expressions of this idea came from a French gastronome and a German philosopher.
Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
In 1826, Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, a French lawyer and epicure, published his influential work, Physiologie du goût, ou Méditations de Gastronomie Transcendante (The Physiology of Taste). It is in this text that the first recognizable version of the phrase appears: "Dis-moi ce que tu manges, je te dirai ce que tu es," which translates to, "Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are".
Brillat-Savarin's observation was not a health-focused manifesto but a commentary on social class and character. By knowing a person's diet, he believed he could deduce their social standing, profession, and overall character. For him, a nobleman's rich and varied diet revealed his sophistication, while a peasant's simpler fare reflected his station. The statement was a pithy social observation, not a nutritional warning.
Ludwig Feuerbach
Decades later, the German philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach penned his version in 1863 in an essay titled Concerning Spiritualism and Materialism. His quote, "Der Mensch ist, was er ißt," translates to "man is what he eats". Feuerbach used the phrase to argue against the idea that human identity was purely spiritual, instead emphasizing that our physical and mental state is deeply connected to what we consume. He viewed improving the diet of the German people as a way to improve their minds, health, and social condition.
The American Reinvention: Victor Lindlahr
For nearly a century, the phrase remained a philosophical aside. The modern, literal interpretation began in the United States in the early 20th century. This shift was largely due to the work of American nutritionist Victor Lindlahr, a fervent believer in the connection between food and health.
Lindlahr developed the Catabolic Diet and, through his popular radio talks in the 1930s, coined and propagated the now-famous slogan, "You Are What You Eat". In 1942, he published a book with the same title, which solidified the phrase in the public consciousness. Lindlahr's intent was to promote a clear, direct health message: to be healthy, you must eat healthy food. He explicitly framed it as a medical truth, stating, "Ninety per cent of the diseases known to man are caused by cheap foodstuffs" in an early beef advertisement.
The phrase's evolution can be summarized as follows:
- Philosophical and Social Commentary (1826): Brillat-Savarin uses the phrase to analyze social class and character through diet.
- Materialist Philosophy (1863): Feuerbach links nutrition directly to human physical and mental well-being.
- Modern Health Axiom (1940s): Lindlahr popularizes the simplified phrase as a direct, literal maxim for healthy eating.
- Counterculture Slogan (1960s): The phrase becomes a mantra for the hippie movement's whole foods and macrobiotic diet culture.
- Diet Culture Trope (Modern Day): The phrase is often used to promote restrictive diets and can contribute to negative self-perception and body image issues.
A Comparative Look at Dietary Philosophies
| Aspect | 19th Century View (Brillat-Savarin/Feuerbach) | 20th/21st Century View (Lindlahr/Diet Culture) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Idea | Diet reveals one's social status and foundational nature; improving diet can improve society. | Diet determines one's physical health; healthy eating leads to health, unhealthy eating leads to disease. |
| Focus | Observation of cultural and social patterns; philosophical materialism. | Emphasis on individual responsibility for health through specific food choices. |
| Context | Socio-political and philosophical commentary. | Dieting, weight loss, and the commercial nutrition industry. |
| Outcome | Broader understanding of humanity's connection to its sustenance. | Modern diet culture, sometimes promoting harmful eating patterns and stigma. |
The Modern Science Behind the Saying
While Lindlahr's claim that 90% of diseases are from bad food is an oversimplification, modern science has, in many ways, proven the spirit of the saying to be correct. Research into the gut-brain axis, nutritional psychiatry, and the role of nutrients in cellular function all support the profound link between diet and overall well-being.
Modern medicine recognizes that a balanced, nutrient-dense diet is crucial for supporting both physical and mental health. The food we consume provides the building blocks for every cell in our body and influences critical systems, including the endocrine and nervous systems.
Here are some scientifically supported ways diet impacts your overall health:
- Brain Function: Complex carbohydrates and healthy fats provide fuel for the brain, while micronutrients are essential for neurotransmitter synthesis and function, affecting mood and cognitive abilities.
- Gut Health: High-fiber foods from plants nourish the gut microbiome, which in turn produces mood-regulating compounds like serotonin.
- Disease Prevention: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and low in saturated fats is associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and stroke.
- Mood and Energy: Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals can manifest as symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fatigue.
Conclusion: A Philosophy Reimagined
Ultimately, the journey of the phrase "we become what we eat" is a story of reinterpretation. What began as a nuanced philosophical and social observation evolved into a simplistic yet powerful dietary slogan. While the original speakers, Brillat-Savarin and Feuerbach, intended their words to spark thought about our relationship with food and society, Lindlahr’s version became a health mandate that has shaped modern diet culture. The phrase serves as a powerful reminder of food's profound impact, and while it's not a literal instruction, the science has come to support the core idea: conscious and nutritious eating is vital for our holistic well-being. A balanced, mindful approach to nutrition, rather than the restrictive mentality of diet culture, is the best way to honor the phrase's enduring wisdom.
For more information on general healthy eating guidelines, consider resources from reputable health organizations such as the World Health Organization.
