Is It Really "Comfort Food"?

• Emotional Connection - maybe your Mom made it for you as a child, and you need that "emotional memory" triggered to feel comforted.
• Familiarity - of course we go for what we know, especially when it comes to flavours and textures.
• Sensory Pleasure -  Comfort food often engage our senses in a pleasure way with the combination of flavours, textures, and aromas that are inherently enjoyable.  I think of Haagen Dazs Coffee flavour ice cream and how it's creamy texture melts on my tongue as the flavour bings my taste buds...
• Cultural and Social Significance:  Comfort foods are often deeply ingrained in cultural or regional traditions. Sharing these dishes with loved ones can create a sense of belonging and connection.
• Ease of Preparation - of course many comfort foods are easy to make.  Some are offered as take-out.
• Stress Relief - consuming comfort food can trigger release of endorphins, which are chemical in the brain associated with pleasure and stress relief. Carbohydrates can lead to the release of serotonin in the brain, signaling that feel good feeling.  Of course we want more!
• Psychological Comfort - the very act of preparing and consuming comfort food can be a form of self-care and nurturing.  It can provide a sense of comfort and securing during time of stress or uncertainty, and let's face it, we live in times of uncertainty.

Sometimes just becoming aware of why you are being triggered is enough to help you make a healthier choice.  For others you may need some support, such as offered in programs like Noom where they teach you the psychology of eating.  Everyone is different, so it's nice there are options these days. You can research and find what you need.

So what's a person do when you are craving comfort food? 

Turn to a healthier alternative of course!  But what you ask 

Here are a few ideas to get you started, but know you can google healthier alternatives, and even start to look to replace some unhealthy ingredients with healthier choices.   

For example, we buy Violife Vegan cheese now instead of cream cheese, and I am even venturing to making my own nut based cheese now, but that is a little extreme for most people unless you love cooking and have the time.

• Cauliflower Mash instead of Mashed Potatoes - you can even find recipes that combine both if that is too extreme for you.
• Whole Grain or Gluten Free pastas vs regular pasta.
• Quinoa or Cauliflower Rice instead of White Rice.
• Baked Sweet Potato Fries instead of Regular Fries - actually just changing the way you cook like using an air fryer vs oil frying can make for a much healthier meal - be mindful of what you top it with.
• Greek Yogurt Parfait instead of Ice Cream.
• Dark Chocolate-Dipped fruit instead of Candy.
• Broth Based Soups vs Cream Based Soups.

If you are a real chocolate lover, there are healthier alternatives to purchasing a chocolate bar.  Here is another favourite recipe we make from Anthony William, and we change out pomegranate for almonds when pomegranate is not in season.   This recipe is so good that it has ruined me for regular chocolate now, which is a very good thing, a chocolate bar just doesn't cut it now!

You only need a little piece to satisfy you, and if you don't trust yourself, put the rest in little packages in the freezer, as it keeps well.  Here it is:

Pomegranate Bark

 (Medical Medium Life Changing Food by Anthony William) 

10 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips (at least 60% cacao)

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/3 cup maple syrup

2 cups pomegranate seeds

Stir in chocolate chips with coconut oil in a saucepan over low heat until the mixture is combined and melted.  Add maple syrup - I do so after removing from heat, then stir it in.

Spread an even layer of melted chocolate on a baking tray on parchment paper.  Press pomegranate seeds firmly into chocolate layer.  Place in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to allow it to set.  Break apart and enjoy -it tastes better when you can share it with a friend.

Thanks Anthony WIlliam for this amazing recipe!

While this recipe is only available in his book, here is the link to his site loaded with many healthy recipes from salty to savory.  Enjoy!

https://www.medicalmedium.com/medical-medium-blog-recipes.htm