What was Sai Baba's general philosophy on food? Was it just about not fasting, or was there a deeper meaning?

Sai Baba's philosophy on food was comprehensive, extending beyond simply advising against fasting. As detailed in Chapter 32, his primary principle was that one must "first satisfy the soul of the self" because a hungry person's mind is not peaceful enough for spiritual pursuits. He advocated for moderate eating, stating it is "truly comfortable," while both excessive eating and excessive fasting are harmful. The teaching goes deeper by identifying food with the divine, noting that during intense hunger, one realizes food as Brahman. The text even concludes with the profound statement, "Food and the eater are Vishnu's form." This shows that Baba viewed nourishment not just as a physical necessity but as an integral part of the spiritual path and a manifestation of the divine itself.