Dream Symbol - Food & Eating

What part of myself am I nourishing?

If food intake plays a role in the dream, this can be an indication that the dreamer is missing a basic nutrient or feedback in life. In dreams, food generally represents the satisfaction of needs. Eating can appear in the dream as a physical signal, if one is actually hungry - then sleep should be secured by the apparent satisfaction in the dream. Dreams with meals often occur during a slimming or fasting diet as well as in people with addictive eating disorders (anorexia, binge eating) and in recent cases indicate the psychological background, which can usually only be analyzed by a therapist. In a figurative sense, food can represent the incorporation of experiences, insights and spiritual values.

Depending on the circumstances, food can have the following meaning:

• A dream about food can be viewed as a good sign, especially if you ate and were full.

• The quality of the food and drinks in the dream and your feelings about them are important in interpreting your dream. For example, a dream in which you eat leftovers may indicate that you are living on the bare necessities. Think about the quality and quantity of the 'ingredients' of life with which you can enrich your waking life and how these can be obtained.

• A hearty meal or tasty snack, eaten with enjoyment, can reveal a deep sense of satisfaction with your life. It can also indicate a belief that good times are ahead or that the foundation for future profit has been laid.

• Dreams about heavy food such as cream sauces and chocolate are said to be signs of extravagance. How did you feel while eating? 

Did you feel guilty about quality or quantity or did you eat with pleasure?

• Eating or drinking voraciously can express the 'starved' side of your personality, reflect unmet needs and perhaps convey feelings of being on your own or unloved. Such dreams may also highlight the fear that momentary good times may be short-lived and must be enjoyed while you can.

• Quickly devouring copious amounts of food alone often shows possessiveness and a lack of compassion for others.

• Meager food that doesn't taste good can indicate that you have achieved little success that you can't be happy about - sometimes feelings of guilt are also expressed in this.

• Childhood comfort foods can represent a longing to return to simpler times.