Making Sense of “Inside Out”: A Nutrition Counselor’s Perspective

By Rachel Morrison on May 16, 2017

Initially, I did not want to watch “Inside Out” because I assumed that strong emotions would be minimized through juvenile animation. However, “Inside Out” has psychological depth and is more suited for mature minds.

“Inside Out” was viewed and discussed in my group therapy session. As an aspiring Doctor of Nutrition and Registered Dietitian, I observed various elements concerning the psychology of food and recreation.

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Observation #1 = Dinner Table Flaws

Joy and Sadness were brought to the protagonist’s subconscious and long term memory portal. Therefore, Fear, Disgust, and Anger were the sole emotions within her conscious and manifested through her words, actions, and behavior. Dinner tables should bring families together. However, many families rarely eat together except on holidays. Drama is common. Holidays such as Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas are draining for individuals when toxic family members judge the high or low amount of food consumed or pry about personal affairs or blatantly gossip. Psychological pessimism or optimism affects the social and sentimental value of family dinner traditions. Eating disorders and Body Dysmorphic Disorder are traced back to unfavorable eating experiences within inner circle gatherings.

Parenting styles from masculine and feminine perspectives were reinforced. The father’s intrinsic Anger was the first emotion that spoke up within his mind. This reflects instinctive masculine aggression. The protagonist’s Disgust stimulated her father’s Anger. Misunderstandings cause strife within families and spread through communities, states, and nations.

Fathers are usually the disciplinarian in a conventional nuclear family dynamic. Although a stable masculine figure assures confidence, adequate financial support, and protection, this aggression is unsettling and insensitive for a daughter that was forced to live somewhere new, not make new friends, and learn how life works at the tender age of 11. Puberty is tough. Nostalgic elements are exploited. Defensive parents amplify and worsen the mentality and circumstances that catapult into dinner table flaws. Alcoholism amplifies toxicity within family dynamics due to a high probability of violence and abuse through words and actions. Substances are used as an escape from stressful life situations. Stress within the home worsens with the presence of any substance.

Modern women are more likely to have strong career orientation. Nurturing and domestication elements cease to exist or are a juggling balance for career-oriented mothers. Single and childless women are not exempt. College loans are astronomical and must be paid back. Work hours add up while conventional and nutritious gatherings are compromised. Lunch hour is more like lunch quarter or lunch minute. Career orientation of women has an unfortunate high probability of singlehood, divorce, and neglected offspring. A worse fact is that this has an even higher probability among modern and single women (mothers or childless) of color.

Observation #2 = Nostalgia Nutrition

Everyone has a Goofball Island that is manifested and stimulated through food. Foods within recreational establishments such as baseball hot dogs, peanuts, and Cracker Jacks; amusement park cotton candy and funnel cake; and picnic basket cuisine stimulate optimistic activity within the limbic system (the regions of the brain that are associated with emotions). Episodic memory enhancement is linked to nostalgic food consumption.

Joy initiated an idea for the protagonist and her mother to try a local pizza parlor to emulate a positive memory in Minnesota. However, the protagonist and her mother were disappointed with the flavor. West Coast pizza is unfavorably reviewed by those who live in states with an abundant Italian population such as New York and New Jersey. The beauty of the United States America is that every demographic is represented. These demographics are experienced on a dining experience whether homemade or at a restaurant. Regional, cultural, and international cuisine are represented when individuals step out of their comfort zones and embrace the unknown in a healthy yet fun way through nutrition and leisure.

A city that I always wanted to travel to is Miami. Key lime pie is well known there. I emulate a Miami getaway by trying my sister-in-law’s mother’s pie (and salsa dancing all over my house in my fun, bright, floral, and feminine apron as I clean and play Latin jazz radio). I do not feel the need to be a sanctimonious nutrition counselor 24/7/365. A slice of pie is a delightful tropical paradise.

Hockey is the protagonist’s favorite activity and coping skill. Joy provided the idea of playing hockey in the new home to make light of a sad situation. A positive core memory was created as she scored her first goal as a young child. However, as a preteen, she could not express her Joy and Sadness as her best friend met a new friend and continues to play hockey. This amplifies for better or worse within professional athletes who gain or lose glory days within their career.

The movie ended with a beautiful resolution as she experienced Joy in hockey again through lamentation and mourning with an expression of Sadness. Her parents showed zeal at her game (face paint and all????). Every athlete desires a fanbase from the home front. She made new friends when all five emotions blended together to create new islands and new core memories.

There are scarce amounts of social settings for youth and adults that have nostalgic food and fun. The illusion of substance use and abuse does not provide positive socialization. “Ladies Night” is the novel that I am currently reading. Gender-specific socialization and liberation do not necessarily have to involve negative nocturnal settings. The novel has ironies within the title and plot that I will delve into for future articles.

Pop culture and reality of the early 2000s, ’90s and earlier are more likely to have wholesome, affordable, and fun places for friends, families, and lovers to go such as roller skating rinks, salsa dancing parties, billiard cafes, bowling alleys, drive-in theatres, juke box diners, snack shops, pizza parlors, and more. Economic status has an unfortunate effect on recreation fun. Adequate recreation and nutrition are unfortunately compromised as socioeconomic status decreases. Aristocratic populations are more likely able to afford country club memberships, boutique fitness studio memberships, and posh groceries. Stay tuned for my country club employment adventures!

Share your optimistic memories! Share your pessimistic experiences if comfortable. Ask questions associated with spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical elements of nutrition and recreation. I will be happy to share my perspective!

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