The Science Behind Comfort Foods

Feeling stressed? Have some mashed potatoes, chocolate cake, macaroni and cheese, or lasagna. Homemade dishes such as these do more than potentially add pounds to your frame. These comfort foods provide an important remedy for stress and loneliness through good old brain chemistry. Read on to find out how these delicious foods can be an essential part of emotional therapy when enjoyed in moderation.

English: A small plate with a serving of mashed potatoes. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Chemistry behind Comfort Foods

It’s no secret that many people’s daily lives are stressful in this day and age. One of the only physical and emotional escapes to look forward to is indulging in comfort foods that are salty, creamy, sweet, and smooth. This is not simply all in one’s head, although it does begin there. The brain associates good feelings with certain flavors, textures, and smells. It also produces feel-good chemicals such as endorphins to help cope with stress. When a person eats sweet, creamy foods like ice cream and chocolate, endorphins are released into the bloodstream. This affects mood in a positive way by helping one to feel warm and cozy.

The brain also releases serotonin, which is another chemical that affects mood. If a person has low levels of serotonin, he or she may be depressed, anxious, edgy, or angry. In order to feed this need for serotonin, the individual may overindulge in carbohydrates such as bread, cakes, and chips.

Sugary, salty, and fatty foods are also reminiscent of our childhood, and indulging in these foods triggers feelings of happiness and raises serotonin. Serotonin is a natural Prozac. This is one reason why people reach for fatty, high-carb foods and instantly feel better.

Brain chemicals also play a part in appetite control. In addition to being feel-good chemicals that deal with pain and stress, endorphins tend to trigger cravings for the very same comfort foods that a person is “medicating” with. Too many cravings could lead to overeating, and this is one reason why comfort foods must be enjoyed in moderation.

Importance of Moderation

Like all rich high-calorie meals and snacks, comfort foods must be enjoyed in moderation. The obvious reason is that overeating will likely lead to weight gain. This can be avoided by indulging in comfort foods a few times a week versus every day. Or, they can be eaten in minimal amounts every day. For instance, a small piece of chocolate every evening does not have to be a forbidden food because it is enjoyed in such moderation.

Popular Rx Comfort Foods

There are a multitude of foods that will affect brain chemistry in a positive way by elevating mood. On the top of the list of comforting foods are Italian dishes. Spaghetti with meatballs, lasagna, and other favorites are dishes that are sure to elevate mood with their rich textures and gooey cheese. Speaking of cheese, another comfort food that will perk up the stressed is old-fashioned macaroni and cheese. Serve it alongside another favorite – fried chicken.

Meatloaf and mashed potatoes make a meal that is full of comfort and satisfaction. Pair this meal with a rich dessert such as chocolate cake or apple pie for a complete feel-good meal. For a reminiscent lighter comfort food, try chicken noodle soup just like Mom used to make.

Everyone experiences stress on a frequent basis, and comfort food is a great prescription for feelings of loneliness and sadness. The science of these comfort foods makes it possible for people to connect with others in the relaxing preparation and enjoyment of meals, which is a remedy in itself.

Freelance blogger Dallas Nevin recently invested in a meat grinder from Berkel Sales Service, and can find comfort in making his favorite meat dishes by hand.

Recap of Home Ec 16: Comfort Food

The Dangers of Rapid Weight Loss

Are you battling to lose weight? Are you trying to find a way to get rapid weight loss? Rapid weight loss, likewise generally referred to as fast weight loss or rapid fat loss, is when a person tries to lose weight in a very short period of time.

Every year, in the US, hundreds of Americans are interested in rapid weight loss. Lots of people want to drop weight prior to a crucial event, like an approaching holiday or a wedding celebration. While it is understandable why you may want to slim down rapidly, you have to be very careful doing so. No matter how fast or how much weight you want to lose, you need to know that there may be health dangers that may occur with doing so.

Rapid weight loss comes with many risks because of some of the extreme measures that some people take. For example, it is not uncommon to hear of some people that have actually chosen not to eat, while trying to attain a rapid fat burning. Going without food, for also a short time frame, can be harmful to your wellness. Starving yourself will only cause your body to store more in fear of going without food again. A better option is to cut back on the portion size of the meals that you do eat and to eat smaller more frequent healthy meals. By restricting your calories, you ought to have the ability to obtain a small weight-loss in the time that you were looking to. It is just critical that you do not skip on eating.

Another complication that is commonly connected with rapid weight loss is the taking of medicines or various other weight-loss supplements. Some of these products may work and some are safe, but what works for one may not work for another. You must be aware of certain conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes to name a few. If you are interested in taking a weight loss product, like a cleansing product or diet pill, to aid you in dropping weight, it is very important that you research it first. This research could involve reading product reviews or talking with your doctor.

Along with eating healthy, an additional element of fat burning is exercising. Unfortunately, lots of individuals do not realize that it doesn’t happen overnight to see the positive benefits from working out with being consistent a must. With that in mind, when you have a lot of weight to lose, the quicker it is that you could begin seeing the results. While physical exercise is a significant part of losing weight, it is important that you do not overdo it, particularly if you have not exercised in a long time. Trying to do too much when first starting out may end up setting you back.

The important thing to remember is that you need to be extremely careful when trying to achieve rapid weight loss. The majority of individuals have at least a couple of months really worth of notification prior to attending a big occasion, such as a wedding or a vacation. The sooner you start on your weight loss journey, the more your chances of getting results are possible. Relying on rapid weight loss can be dangerous and most likely will lead to disappointing results. Adding exercise and healthy eating to your lifestyle will make it easier to maintain your weight and will just make a healthier you.

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