Whether it's a large slice of pizza or a pint of your favourite ice cream, everyone has his or her own personal favorite food that brightens up one's mood during a bad day.
These are foods that we associate either with our childhood or brings us back to our fondest memories- true enough, they provide us that warm feeling after a long tiring day from work or a failed exam. More often, holiday food such as ham and thanksgiving turkey are considered comfort foods because simply, they remind us of the special times.
According to The Daily Meal online food journal, 'comfort food' was added to the dictionary in 1977, as "food that comforts or affords solace; hence any food (usually with high sugar or carbohydrate content) that is associated with childhood or home cooking." The term 'comfort food' usually pertains to a change in our mental state, by providing that warm feeling and a sense of "fullness."
Studies also revealed that these comfort foods are associated with social activities- an emotional bond or attachment that involved that certain food. In a study published in the journal Appetite, researchers found that the power of comfort food is based on the associations that it calls to mind.
We often reach out for our very own comfort food in times of stress and discomfort. A study revealed that chicken soup was considered by most people who had strong emotional relationships as an effective comfort food that relieved them from emotional stress or a sickly state- the stronger the relationship, the more subjects find the soup satisfying. Maybe it subconsciously reminds them of their mom bringing them a hot bowl of chicken soup during a rainy day or one appetizing childhood family dinner.
Some top comfort foods named by BuzzFeed Life are mac and cheese in a box, frozen lasagna, mashed potatoes, fast food fried chicken, and of course everyone's ultimate comfort food, pizza and fries.
