Usually whether or not a food is kosher or “fitting” depends upon how the meat was slaughtered, who milked the cow or whether there was a combination of milk or meat involved in the production. Once a food is considered to be 100% kosher, there is no problem with eating it, or so it would seem, in any circumstance.
The Chassidic approach to eating explores the issue of “kosher” more deeply than what went into the food and looks at what enters into the heart and the mind of the person as they are eating the food. In his monumental work on Jewish spirituality, the Tanya, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi writes that our thoughts and intentions while eating actually have an impact on the universe. Every individual Jew is given a portion of the world that is his or her job to “elevate.” When the world was created, a Heavenly light was put into vessels, and this light was so intense that it shattered the vessels and “sparks” of the light descended to the Earth and became embedded in physical objects. Every one is given the task to use certain objects, including food, for holy purposes. When this happens, the sparks ascend back to the higher worlds, and it is through this proper use of objects that we bring the world closer to holiness.
Food is included among these objects. When a Jew eats with the intention that he or she will use the energy from this food to do good deeds and to learn Torah, the “sparks” of the food ascend. However, if someone eats just to fulfill his or her desires, the object descends to a lower level, and while the food was kosher, it is not “elevated” to the level of Holiness.
This demonstrates how Hashem plays a role in every aspect of our lives, and that Judaism is not just for the synagogue, but for every day of the week and every place in the world.