We all have a list of guilty pleasure foods that seem to be the perfect remedy for bad moods, school and work stress, and of course, break-ups. We could be on the verge of breaking down if it weren’t for that magical tub of creamy chocolate ice-cream which seems to have the divine power to make all our problems go away. So how does it work? Read on to find out.
1. The Effect Of Comfort Foods On Us Is Psychological
Studies in psychology have found that the reason we may crave for comfort foods during times of stress might be due to the fact that they remind us of happier times. We may have an associated memory with the way a particular food tastes and that memory might be playing in our subconscious minds while we eat. Which is why you may sometimes crave for a specific dish that your mother used to make when you were younger, or you may crave for ice cream as it perhaps reminds you of your childhood days. It is also possible that the time taken to eat these foods gives us time to calm down and the process of eating diverts our attention from the problem at hand.
2. Chemical Changes Along With Comfort Food
It turns out that carbohydrate-based comfort foods helps our brain produce more serotonin during times of stress. This feel good chemical might be one of the factors causing the comfort foods that we eat to lift our spirits. Of course, we need to be weary because this can easily turn into an addictive pattern leading to numerous health problems. According to a study published by the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Clinical Research Center, MIT, “Many patients learn to overeat carbohydrates (particularly snack foods, like potato chips or pastries, which are rich in carbohydrates and fats) to make themselves feel better. This tendency to use certain foods as though they were drugs is a frequent cause of weight gain, and can also be seen in patients who become fat when exposed to stress, or in women with premenstrual syndrome, or in patients with “winter depression,” or in people who are attempting to give up smoking.”
3. Comfort Food Preferences Vary Between Men And Women
Studies have found that different people tend to have unique and varied cravings when it comes to comfort foods. A professor from Cornell university has found that there is a specific pattern when it comes to the kinds of foods that men and women crave for. It turns out that most men, prefer comfort foods that are a complete meal, like steak or pasta. Women on the other hand, tend to crave for snack foods that are more sugary and dessert oriented, like cake or ice cream. Another interesting difference in the comfort food patterns between men and women is that men tend to associate the idea of comfort foods with that of a reward for a hard day and that women associate it with a sense of guilt.
4. Some Comfort Foods Are Designed To Make You Want More
For many of us, our go to comfort food is fast food. It is convenient, tastes great and is relatively cheaper than healthy food. What we may not know about these foods is that they are designed with just the right amount of salt, sugar, and fats that leaves us wanting more. Not to mention that it’s no secret that the nutritional value of most of our favorite comfort foods are barely existential. Therefore, it is always advisable to limit ourselves to consuming smaller portions and in lesser frequencies. There are also several recipes you can try to make healthy comfort food! For example, using zucchini as a replacement for pasta. The groundwork for research to re-engineer our comfort food habits is underway and we might actually be able to eat healthier while being comforted by our food at the same time!
