Most people would not deny that food is vital in daily life, but it may have more importance than simply nourishing our bodies. According to Carole M. Counihan, doctor of anthropology, food is so important that society has constructed rules regarding its consumption. Counihan points out in his 1992 Anthropology Quarterly article, “Food Rules in the United States: Individualism, Control and Hierarchy,” that these rules serve as “the means by which human beings construct reality” (Counihan, 1992, p. 55). . Counihan defends the importance of studying dietary rules by explaining that knowledge of how food is perceived in our culture can do three things: improve understanding of other cultures' dietary rules, enable nutrition education programs to adapt to these rules and reveal an aspect of society. this helps maintain our current stratification system, which has not yet been examined in depth (Counihan, 1992). Through her study of food diaries kept by American college students, Counihan argues that their adherence to dietary rules suggests that the students strongly believe in self-control and individualism. As a result, these beliefs reinforce our current social hierarchies, including classism, racism, and sexism. Counihan's argument that our food rules enable the perpetuation of sexism is a compelling argument that I completely agree with. I've personally seen my best friend plan her entire diet and exercise routine based on what her boyfriend thinks. Although this article was written in 1992, I believe the message it conveys will still be applicable in years to come. Counihan's argument is multifaceted: She explores a school of thought where students follow certain rules when it comes to eating.... .. middle of paper ...... is important. But now that we have, it's even more important that we take action to change what's happening. That's why the recent emphasis on health over thinness and campaigns like the Dove Beauty Campaign, where women are encouraged to see beauty in their current way, are so monumental in changing what Americans value . Even though Counihan wrote this article eighteen years ago, it still has applications today. I question his study methods. Using a small sample of food journals written by students taught to think anthropologically could skew the results. I would be very interested to see a larger study done today, especially considering some of the progress being made in adapting American values. Works Cited Counihan, CM (1992). Food rules in the United States: individualism, control and hierarchy. Anthropology quarterly, 65(2), 55-66.