Which Foods Bring You Comfort?
One of my daughters caught my attention by saying “Mmmmm, THIS is my comfort food.” The interesting thing is she was eating tuna with a little mayo on crackers. Now I’m sure that particular snack doesn’t make many people’s “Top 10 Comfort Foods” list. Which made me think, “Who decides what gets called ‘comfort food’ and exactly what criteria do they use?” The answer to the first part of the question is you; or a combination of your extended family and you. That means not only do you get to choose the criteria, you can change it anytime you want.
We all understand that we can choose to change things for our benefit. For example, years ago, my mother gave up salt. Initially, she thought she could never enjoy favorites like baked potatoes or fried eggs without the salt. But her taste buds and her thoughts about salt (and its effects) changed and now she enjoys both foods without the salt. People who smoke cigarettes enjoy the smell, the taste, and the ritual of smoking. If they have a brush with death, they easily give up the cigarettes in exchange for enjoying a longer time here with the ones they love. Why? Because their thoughts and priorities about smoking change.
But can we apply those same types of beneficial changes to comfort foods like ice cream straight out of the carton or fried chicken and mashed potatoes? Can our taste buds and our thoughts change to no longer find those foods appealing, but find their healthier replacements delicious and comforting? Absolutely - YES! Although, I would suggest the change in thinking comes first and the taste buds catch up.
My change in thinking began when I started seeing unhealthy foods as enemies to my plans, no matter how familiar they seemed. “My plans” included a nice figure, nice skin, no health limitations, and a long and happy life. I began to associate bad fats, highly processed grains, sugar, chemicals and additives as hindering me from what I wanted to do with my life and my family. I saw them for what they truly were - things that would make me work even harder to achieve my goals.
But I didn’t just make a “Don’t Eat” list. I explored good foods I could substitute for them instead. MANY of my initial trials were less than successful. You could say I found lots of ways to NOT find healthy comfort foods. But I kept trying and have succeeded. My mind is made up that healthy foods are helping me accomplish my goals. And my taste buds now enjoy whole grain foods, good fats, lots of veggies, and very little sugar even though I grew up loving biscuits with sausage gravy, ice cream with hot homemade chocolate sauce, and could down an entire bag of Ruffles potato chips in one sitting. I have a friend who says “Nothing tastes as good as health” and I now understand and agree.
As you consider your plans with the people you love, if your list of ‘Top 10 Comfort Foods’ isn’t helping you accomplish them - change your list. You truly get to decide which foods bring you comfort, and once you do, your taste buds will learn to agree with you.
November 21st, 2008 at 10:43 am
My most frequently consumed comfort food:
a bowl of Cheerios
(odd, yes?)