I enjoy eating, but I don’t often find myself longing for specific dishes. Typically, I lean towards savory options rather than sweet ones, favoring proteins like cheese, meat, eggs, or nuts. Sure, when the mood strikes, I can devour a whole pizza or polish off an entire pan of brownies, but I know my body well enough to recognize my eating patterns.
This predictable routine stems partly from my OCD and partly from understanding which foods energize me versus those that leave me feeling sluggish. Too much sugar and simple carbs tend to give me headaches and irritability. However, lately, my usual eating habits have gone haywire. Snacks that once satisfied me now fall flat, and I find myself indulging more than ever in chocolate and enriched bread. I’ve always tried to tune into my body’s signals, but currently, my eating habits are far from normal. If you can relate, don’t be too hard on yourself: science explains our cravings and fluctuating taste preferences. If you’re reaching for comfort food more frequently, you’re certainly not alone.
Right now, I’m definitely on a cake kick—especially after my recent birthday. And who could resist indulging in chocolate cake? Cheez-Its, spoonfuls of Nutella, chips, sugary cereal—you name it. While none of these are inherently “bad,” they’re not part of my usual diet, and the quantities I’ve been consuming are way above my norm.
Initially, I felt a wave of frustration wash over me. My heart—no, my stomach—craved what it wanted, yet I found myself grappling with guilt for what some might deem unhealthy eating. The bombardment of diet culture and ads about weight loss and fitness routines during this pandemic only added to my shame, making me feel like I was neglecting my health. I wanted the sweets, but in the end, they left me feeling awful. What was I doing to myself?
Like so many others, I’m navigating unemployment, managing my kids’ education at home, and dealing with the overwhelming uncertainty brought on by a global crisis. I took a moment to reflect and realized I needed to be gentle with myself. It’s not just about satisfying hunger; my brain is reacting to stress.
In these unprecedented times, our brains are wired to seek comfort. Stress affects our appetite in complex ways. For example, before a significant meeting or presentation, stress can suppress our desire to eat due to adrenaline. However, prolonged stress—like what we are experiencing now—triggers our adrenal glands to release cortisol, which actually increases appetite. And guess what? Under stress, we’re not craving salads; we want cookies, cake, and other sugary delights that quickly break down into sugar. These foods release dopamine in our brains, the chemical that makes us feel good.
Dopamine motivates us to seek out more of what brings us joy. It’s why we replay our favorite songs or indulge in a slice of pizza. However, it can also lead to unhealthy patterns. As someone in recovery from alcohol addiction, I understand this well. Initially, it took less to trigger a dopamine response, but over time, I needed more to achieve the same effect. While I’m not implying that your desire for warm, buttery bread is rooted in addiction, it’s something to consider—especially if you have a predisposition toward addictive behaviors. If you feel your eating habits are spiraling out of control, don’t hesitate to seek help.
Moreover, stress disrupts our sleep patterns. Lack of sleep raises ghrelin levels and lowers leptin levels, leading to increased hunger. And as if that weren’t enough, sleep deprivation can elevate endocannabinoids in our bloodstream, enhancing the pleasure of eating—especially at night, similar to the effects of marijuana. So, it’s not surprising that we might gravitate towards snacks rather than healthy choices.
It’s perfectly okay to lean into our cravings for comfort food without letting societal pressures dictate our choices. We’re living in chaotic times, and the last thing we need is to add more stress by shaming ourselves for what we eat. If indulging in comfort food helps you cope, embrace it. But if it’s not bringing you joy, that’s valid too. There are plenty of other ways to boost your mood, like exercise, meditation, sleep, music, or laughter.
In this topsy-turvy reality, if your eating habits feel off but provide comfort, that’s completely acceptable. We all deserve a little relief amid the madness. For more insights on coping mechanisms, check out this other blog post here about navigating life’s challenges.
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Summary:
In the midst of a pandemic, many of us are turning to comfort food as a coping mechanism. Stress impacts our appetite and cravings, pushing us towards sugary and carb-rich foods that provide a temporary dopamine boost. It’s essential to be kind to ourselves during these challenging times and recognize that seeking comfort through food is a natural response. Finding balance and exploring other ways to uplift our spirits can also be beneficial.
Keyphrase: comfort food during stress
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