The advent of social media has opened up a whole new way for millions of us to express our creativity and talents, explore our interests, and express our opinions free of cost. Perhaps, not surprisingly, one of the most popular subjects across all social media platforms is #food. As I write this article, there are 287,360,212 photos of #food on Instagram. By the time you read this, I bet there will be even more. 
 
But why is #food so huge on social media? Well, for starters, food is a necessity, and something that applies to everyone. And because it’s a necessity, we’re surrounded by it at least three times a day, which makes for ample opportunities for food photoshoots. These photoshoots mean that, before digging into the delicacies, one must get the correct angle and lighting to capture that “perfect” food photo. It’s all about, “But first, let me take a picture.” Even I’m guilty of this. During mealtimes, and even while exploring my city, New Delhi, I can often be found framing my next photo, which I share on my Instagram handle
@capitalcitynewdelhi.But these photo shoots can prompt mixed reactions. Some psychologists believe that taking photos of your food is a form or ritualistic behaviour, and it can have negative psychological effects, like other forms of habitual social media use. Many chefs around the world have also banned their customers from taking photos of food because, they say, it interferes with the overall experience, and flashes and manoeuvering disturbs other diners. In 2012, University of Southern California researchers also found that spending a significant amount of time looking at appetizing food online stimulated the brain and caused people to
overeat. 

However, I believe that these arguments pale in comparison to the benefits of foodstagramming. Rather than detracting from the dining experience, I feel that the act of foodstagramming is so interactive that it makes the experience of dining out memorable. This is supported by research from the University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California and Yale University, which found that the act of photographing memories or a meal can actually make us happier. Similarly, a 2016 study in the “US Journal of Personality and Social Psychology” found that diners who took pictures of their meals were found to have enjoyed the meal significantly more, and felt far more engrossed in the experience, than those diners who didn’t. 

Today’s world is full of non-vegetarians, vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free and dairy-free followers. Through foodstagramming, it has become that much easier to share recipes, photos, restaurant locations,reviews and quick videos, and quickly tap into a huge community of people who share the same diets or preferences.

The act of foodstagramming has the ability to bring a smile to many faces. And in our sometimes unsavory world, I firmly believe that anything that brings people more joy and happiness should be embraced. So next time you’re about to chow down, don’t think twice about clicking that picture and sharing it with the rest of the world.