The concept of eating is found a total of five times in Genesis 3:17–19. To tie the punishment to eating is to remind humanity of the sin. Adam sinned by eating and now the punishment is perpetual and continued pain in trying to eat.1 This is an example of talionic justice, where the punishment fits the crime and is carefully related to it.2
19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”