1. If it's meat, then some animal gave its life and respecting that is part of treating animals with dignity.
2. From a Christian perspective, all good things are given by God. I suspect that many religions have some sort of parallel belief and even an Atheist could respect the science (e.g. animal husbandry) that allowed them to have access to the food.
3. I have heard that there is evidence that expressing gratitude promotes happiness.
4. Taking the idea of "respect" more abstractly, taking the enjoyment of food seriously is a big part of culture and what it means to be human.
1. If it's meat, then some animal gave its life and respecting that is part of treating animals with dignity.
2. From a Christian perspective, all good things are given by God. I suspect that many religions have some sort of parallel belief and even an Atheist could respect the science (e.g. animal husbandry) that allowed them to have access to the food.
3. I have heard that there is evidence that expressing gratitude promotes happiness.
4. Taking the idea of "respect" more abstractly, taking the enjoyment of food seriously is a big part of culture and what it means to be human.