FOOD FOR COMFORT
When my daughter was a baby she developed the habit of sucking her thumb, especially when she was tired or upset. It seemed to make her feel better. Members of my family were worried that she would damage the development of her jaw or that she would continue the behavior for years, and be bullied for it. I spoke to the doctor, and his response was a surprise – “let her do it,” he said. “There is precious little comfort in life, and if that simple act helps her feel better, allow her that comfort. She will outgrow it but she will be happier and calmer because of such a simple thing.”
He was right, of course, and his words made me think. Yeah, life is unpredictable, challenging, sometimes lonely or sad. It’s also joyful, exciting, full of love and passion and unexpected wonders. But there are those other times. . . . .
Because of the very nature of life on this planet, it behooves us to find sources of comfort, things/activities/people who can temper and soften the sometimes-hard edges and help us get replenished with the energy and courage we need to keep moving toward the lives we want to live. So how do we do that in ways that don’t cause us more problems, that don’t complicate our often already complicated lives?
Comfort food is a great way to pamper the palate and comfort the soul!
Comfort food is food that gives emotional comfort and a feeling of well-being. These foods may bring back memories of happy childhood experiences, or the emotional security that can come with home cooking that reminds us of people we love, maybe peace, love, and joy from times in the past. And, as we’ve said before, cooking food that helps people feel better is a great way to say “I love you”.
Popular comfort foods may be high in sugar and calories because ingesting sugar releases insulin and endorphins such as dopamine and serotonin which can, temporarily, generate a feeling of happiness and even greater calm. This can feel really comforting, but is followed typically by a sugar crash, so please monitor the amount of sugar you take in and protect yourself against that nearly inevitable crash. This can explain why eating chocolate is so comforting. . . . until you eat too much and begin to feel worse. Many desserts count as comfort food because of the sugar content, however there are textures that are also comforting – creamy textures are high on the list – think pudding, cream cheese, whipped cream, etc., those foods that make you feel like you’ve been wrapped in a warm blanket by someone who loves you.
But don’t despair! There are so many foods that bring comfort and calm that don’t assault your body with too much sugar. Popular choices include pot roast, chicken, pasta, fresh vegetables and fruit, the things that take you back to happy times and happy memories. For example, maybe it’s your grandma’s green bean casserole and how it was always served at Thanksgiving when the whole family gathered to give thanks. Or was it her chocolate cake that, when baking, made the whole house smell like love and safety? What is it for you?
If you haven’t already done this, make a list of the foods that you gravitate toward when you need a bit of comfort, the foods that simply make you feel better. Keep this list close and refer to it when your life is just too demanding and you need a simple comfort.
Tell us about your favorite comfort foods and we’ll share some of them in our next blog post. We want to know what makes you feel better, maybe it can help someone else too! Send us an email at custcare.bellavita@gmail.com and put Comfort Foods in the subject line. We’ll read every email you send!
Comfort food is food that gives emotional comfort and a feeling of well-being. These foods may bring back memories of happy childhood experiences, or the emotional security that can come with home cooking that reminds us of people we love, maybe peace, love, and joy from times in the past. And, as we’ve said before, cooking food that helps people feel better is a great way to say “I love you”.
Popular comfort foods may be high in sugar and calories because ingesting sugar releases insulin and endorphins such as dopamine and serotonin which can, temporarily, generate a feeling of happiness and even greater calm. This can feel really comforting, but is followed typically by a sugar crash, so please monitor the amount of sugar you take in and protect yourself against that nearly inevitable crash. This can explain why eating chocolate is so comforting. . . . until you eat too much and begin to feel worse. Many desserts count as comfort food because of the sugar content, however there are textures that are also comforting – creamy textures are high on the list – think pudding, cream cheese, whipped cream, etc., those foods that make you feel like you’ve been wrapped in a warm blanket by someone who loves you.
But don’t despair! There are so many foods that bring comfort and calm that don’t assault your body with too much sugar. Popular choices include pot roast, chicken, pasta, fresh vegetables and fruit, the things that take you back to happy times and happy memories. For example, maybe it’s your grandma’s green bean casserole and how it was always served at Thanksgiving when the whole family gathered to give thanks. Or was it her chocolate cake that, when baking, made the whole house smell like love and safety? What is it for you?
If you haven’t already done this, make a list of the foods that you gravitate toward when you need a bit of comfort, the foods that simply make you feel better. Keep this list close and refer to it when your life is just too demanding and you need a simple comfort.
Tell us about your favorite comfort foods and we’ll share some of them in our next blog post. We want to know what makes you feel better, maybe it can help someone else too! Send us an email at custcare.bellavita@gmail.com and put Comfort Foods in the subject line. We’ll read every email you send!
