You might think of it in terms of having more than one functional aspect. Sex, for instance, is meant to be both love-giving and life-giving. Because of it’s unitive aspect, it is enjoyable even when a couple is naturally infertile.
Food has two purposes, both pleasure and nutrition. The nutrition should be primary and the pleasure aspect a mere side benefit–most of the time. Many people point out, however, that the pleasure aspect of food contributes to community and friendship. Even at mass, we break bread together.
As Jen mentioned, the moderation point is key. If we use IO’s example…do we really need organic turkey on artisan bread with vegetables from the farmer’s market and oil and spices imported from European countries, etc…every single day? (As an aside…unless you shop at Wegmans where they have everything at your fingertips…
…does anyone really have time to go to the grocery store to buy the freshest meats and cheeses and then stop by the bakery for the gorgeous artisan bread and then run to the farmer’s market and buy the newest, most freshly picked vegetables and then dash off to the specialty store that sells the freshly imported oil or dressing–EVERY SINGLE DAY??! Probably not). Is it wrong to say maybe once a week, if finances allow and it does not take away from the family’s other needs nor their fair, charitable contributions? Might we also consider that some of us have special dietary needs that do not allow for preservatives or additives and therefore it is more of a “need” than “want” to buy organic? I think different circumstances apply here, and preference does play a role within reason.
Is buying a Lexus going to severely challenge my family financially or can we afford to buy a luxury car without also sacrificing charitable contributions, such as tithing fairly and fully to the Church and others in need?
Is being obese or significantly overweight a de facto sign of gluttony? Well, certainly for some but most definitely not for others. Generalizations don’t work to explain everyone’s underlying vice.
Whenever I’ve spoken to priests about this, they have always said that it is just and fair to use one’s hard-earned resources for both enjoyment and necessity. However, it is still imperative that one’s blessings are shared.
But anyway…no, enjoying food is not a sin, as long as the enjoyment does not become excessive and detract from nutrition. It is not nutritionally beneficial to eat pizza every night or ice cream for breakfast. Nor is it safe to eat fruit all day for each meal. Balance is a good approach.
