From Plate to Pal: Using Food to Bridge the Loneliness Gap

Andrea Breaux
THE FUTURE IS VEGAN
4 min readAug 12, 2024

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Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

Food has a remarkable ability to combat loneliness by fostering social connections and providing comfort. Events centered on food spark deep connections and bonding moments. Even mindful eating and volunteering in food-related activities add purpose and a sense of community. By harnessing the power of food, we can build a richer, more connected social life.

Annie stepped into LJ’s office to announce that dinner was ready. LJ glanced at her and mouthed, “I’ll be right there.” He quickly finished his phone call and ducked into the bathroom to wash his hands. Entering the kitchen with a concerned expression, Annie asked, “Is everything alright, sweetheart?”

LJ shook his head. “I was just talking to Harry. Ever since Claudia passed away, he has sounded so lonely. It’s tough seeing him like that. I’ve been thinking about ways we could help him feel more connected. What do you think about a food connection to combat his loneliness?”

That’s a great idea! Food has such a unique way of bringing people together. What do you have in mind?”

“Well, we can use food to help Harry in several ways,” he said, handing Annie a plate. “For starters, we could involve him in cooking as a social activity. We could invite him over for a cooking night. Preparing meals together can be fun and…

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Andrea Breaux
THE FUTURE IS VEGAN

Andrea started Healthyhealingeats.com based on her goal to inspire a shift in consciousness that recognizes food-as-medicine as the core of good health.