Feasting: Community, Culture, and Consequences

This chapter examines the cultural importance of communal meals, discussing their role in strengthening social ties and festive identities. It also addresses the potential for exclusion within these gatherings and delves into the biological implications of overeating during feasts, featuring a startling personal experiment. The interplay between food choices and health outcomes is explored, illustrating the connection between heritage, personal stories, and the challenges of managing consumption in a food-abundant society.