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Nov 2, 2018 · Some healthy foods actually provide “comfort” by decreasing stress and anxiety. According to an article by Jessica Shelton entitled “8 Foods that Help with Anxiety and Stress,” these feel ...
- 5 Reasons Why We Crave Comfort Foods - Psychology Today
Here are five factors that can contribute to comfort eating:...
- 5 Reasons Why We Crave Comfort Foods - Psychology Today
- Feel good. Eating food high in fat, sugar or salt activates the brain’s reward system. For example, chocolate has a strong effect on mood, generally increasing pleasant feelings and reducing tension.
- Self-medication. There seems to be a consistent connection between negative emotions and unhealthy foods, a phenomenon called emotional eating. In a bad mood, people are drawn to unhealthy foods (sugary and fatty) as a coping mechanism.
- The need to belong. We tend to associate certain foods with members of our family, social gatherings, and people taking care of us, such as Thanksgiving holidays with family.
- Nostalgic eating. There is a strong link between scents and emotional memory. The smell of foods can evoke vivid and detailed emotional memories of our past (Reid, et al., 2014).
- What Is Comfort Food?
- Why Do You Crave Certain Foods?
- Does Comfort Food Have Health Benefits?
- Can You Have Too Much of A Good Thing?
- Are There Alternatives to Comfort Food?
Comfort food gets its name from the good feelingsit brings up when you eat it. Comfort foods vary by country and culture. Some are familiar to an entire community. Others are significant to an individual or a family. People reach for comfort foods for a variety of different reasons: 1. The foods may be linked to memories or traditions.It could be a...
Comfort food activates dopamine. This is a chemical in the brain that makes you feel good. It also makes you want more of the same thing. For example, maybe you’re worried or anxious. If so, you may focus more on how food makes you feel, rather than if it’s healthy or not. You might also keep eating after you’re full. Dr. Sylvia Karasu, clinical pr...
There are proven health benefits to feeling connected with others. So, if you’re enjoying a meal with someone else, that’s good for your physical and mental health. And people often share comfort food when someone is sick, sad, or grieving. Feeling cared forhelps you to bounce back after an illness or a stressful event.
If your mind is occupied or stressed, it’s easy to eat too much. This is especially true if the food tastes good and there’s plenty of it around. As Dr. Karasu points out, "Evolutionarily, food cravings may have been positive in that they led to a search for a variety of foods.” But these cravings can be bad when there’s so much high-calorie, proce...
Sometimes, a situation calls for comfort food. Enjoy it when it’s part of a celebration, or as an occasional treat. But if you think you’re getting too much of a good thing, try these tips: 1. Incorporate heart-healthyfoods into your favorite dishes.Sneak in some fruits, vegetables, or whole grains. Try not to add too much salt. Use cooking oils ma...
Jun 21, 2020 · "There are good things in chocolate so never feel guilty about eating it, just make it dark chocolate and have a little to enjoy it," Dr Burey said. It's true — comfort food can be healthy
- Jessica Hinchliffe
Mar 10, 2024 · A food for every mood: Comfort eating into adulthood often serves as a coping mechanism for managing negative emotions, offering a temporary distraction from life's challenges. When we feel stressed, lonely or overwhelmed, indulging in comfort foods can provide a momentary escape - offering a sense of control and comfort in the face of adversity.
May 30, 2020 · 1 – Comfort foods trigger dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that sends messages between the brain cells. Dopamine is all about motivation, reward and pleasure. It gives us a feel-good sensation. So when you eat a comfort food that tastes good and is rewarding, you get a rush of dopamine. Your brain remembers this connection between ...
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Oct 22, 2018 · Eating food that makes you feel good makes your heart happy. When your heart is happy, it keeps you healthy. A healthy diet should include foods that are not only good for you, but make you feel good and create a pleasurable eating experience. Unfortunately, many people equate a healthy diet with having to eat foods they don’t like or enjoy.