Comfort food is whatever you like to eat. Feeling blue? Had a long, tiring, stressful day? Chances are, you have had times when you reach into the cupboard or refrigerator for a taste-buds-pleasing pick-me-up to soothe heartache, ease anxiety, and shoo stress away. Food can’t make your problems or feelings go away, but it can make you feel better mentally and physically in the short term.
For me, I have lots of comfy foods - grilled chicken, dried fish (danggit with vinegar, chillies and garlic as dip), boiled sea shells with lots of ginger and onions during rainy or cold season, salad, pasta, some pick-a-veggies, fruits, desserts, and snacks. But the best among them? It’s the finger-licking boiled king crabs covered with pure coconut milk that savors my palate, and overloaded with chunky tomatoes, sweet and spicy bell peppers, and ginger that combine with a slightly peppery, almost citrusy zing with a hint of sweetness and a warm, spicy kick, adding depth and vibrancy to my favorite comfy food.
Comfort foods are your favorite foods. They are the foods that boost your mood, evoke nostalgic memories, taste great — or all three! The effects of these foods include making you happy when you’re sad or stressed, satisfying a craving, and sparking joy. It is also warm and hearty. What people consider comfort food will vary from person to person and region to region.
Comfort Foods are often high in mood-boosting fatty acids, carbohydrates, and/or sugar. Which exact foods are considered comfort food is based on individual preferences. While some people crave carbs, others may reach for sweets, and still others fill up on healthy treats.
It's called comfort food because it’s, well, comforting. Eating these foods provides emotional and physical comfort. The best comfort foods stimulate the brain’s reward system and make you feel good.
No matter which foods, side dishes, and snacks satisfy your craving for comfort, comforting foods won’t let you down. These foods trigger the brain’s reward system and pleasure centers. This leads to the production of dopamine, which boosts a person’s mood. This is why you turn to comfort foods time and time again, particularly in stressful times like a breakup.
The most common comfort foods are typically home-style foods, easy to prepare, and readily accessible. Depending on where you live, these favorite foods may vary. For example, BBQ and grits are go-to comfort foods. A hot dish, a type of casserole, reigns supreme as an indulgent, guilt-free pleasure.
Comfort foods may be sweet or savory, healthy or unhealthy, common or uncommon, but they are always delicious and satisfying to your cravings. May it be a pick-a-food, a salad, or a complete meal.
Thank you @justinparke for this week's theme and welcome back again.🌷🕊️ How about you fellow Hivers? What do you consider comfort foods? Let's hear it from you, guys.
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