Venus Williams Says When It Comes to Food, She "Eats to Live"

Do You Eat to Live or Live to Eat?

August 31, 2010

My interview with Venus Williams was a blast; besides fitness, we talked about fashion, football, and also food. When I asked Venus what her favorite snack is, she first replied that she didn't know because she is "one of those people that eats to live and not lives to eat." For Venus, food is more about fuel than favorite dishes.

I am definitely the opposite — I live to eat! I love to bake, get excited over new ways to use seasonal produce, and also like changing up recipes to make them healthier. I found Venus's reply especially interesting because as a food lover, I can't imagine the idea of not getting excited over the perfect veggie frittata. What about you . . .

Source: Thinkstock

20 Comments

danakscully64 2 years 36 weeks

^^^ I 100% disagree with that. I have a very healthy relationship with food. I know so many people who "eat to live" and they skip meals or don't eat the healthiest, just what's convenient. It's not a big part of their lives. I love having something to look forward to 3 times a day or more :P I eat healthy though (I'm slender), I'm very happy.

2 years 36 weeks

You've got to go in with mantra of eat to live, otherwise you develop an unhealthy relationship with food. I used to be the same with exercise where I "trained to eat" instead of "eating to train". Since I have switched my thinking and go into workouts fully fueled and ready, my results have soared!

Renees3 2 years 36 weeks

Obviously when people say they live to eat it's not literal, Anon 17. We all have other loves in our life, but we love food too. Just because we love to eat doesn't mean we don't enjoy life. I don't really understand that correlation. Anyway, I am on the live to eat side obviously haha. I enjoy trying new foods and finding comfort in old standbys. I love how you can experience different cultures just by trying new foods. Even the social aspect of eating with loved ones, at a dinner table or at a restaurant. I have no problem with either side of it, but to say that one is sadder or living a less full life because of their outlook on food is just wrong.

2 years 37 weeks

Those results are so sad. I eat to live - because I enjoy life. Living to eat - that's just sad ... and boring. There are other, way more exciting ways to enjoy life.

Kimpossible 2 years 37 weeks

Eat to live.

becky0125 2 years 37 weeks

i eat to live for sure. college life just kind of demands you grab something quickly to sustain you, and cooking just becomes a total chore. the faster i can whip something nutritious up and put it in my mouth, the faster i can be on my way.

nancita 2 years 37 weeks

I would like to be one of those eat to live people — that is the point of food, after all — but I simply cannot understand them.

WarEagleNurse 2 years 37 weeks

Live to eat!

Spectra 2 years 37 weeks

I live to eat, too. SOOOO many yummy yummy foods out there! I love to bake, cook, etc. and that's why I have to work out or I'd be huge!

amber512 2 years 37 weeks

I totally live to eat. I'm the same way in that I love trying new recipes, learning new things, and baking!

fizzymartini 2 years 37 weeks

Live to eat, to the most ridiculous extent. Virtually every moment is spent daydreaming about the flavours I'd like to be experiencing. In fact, the ONLY time my mind is off food is when I'm exercising. And even then, sometimes my mind drifts...

genipher85 2 years 37 weeks

Live to eat. It's comforting. And there is so much out there to try, it's limitless.

juicebox07 2 years 37 weeks

I live to eat. It's one of my favorite pastimes.

chloe bella 2 years 37 weeks

I eat to live. I love food, and I love eating out, but it's definitely not what I live for. There are lots of other things in life more important to me.