Comfort Foods and Your Diet Plan

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Comfort foods have proven to be associated with your childhood. Studies show that men tend to like hearty foods, such as steak, casseroles and pizza - foods their mothers used to make for them. Women, on the other hand, tend to associate comfort foods with sadness. Many eat the foods they indulged in during childhood when they need uplifting. Most like moist, soft creamy textured foods, such as cake, pie, soup, ice cream and cookies.

Why Comfort Foods are Deemed Bad

Many of us who need to have comfort foods tend to overdo ourselves. The comfort foods we tend to eat are fatty foods (you hardly ever see someone having spinach as a comfort food). So when we eat them too much, we gain more weight and have to start all over again with our diet plan.

What Research is Beginning to Show about Comforting Foods

Psychiatrists and health physicians are beginning to recommend eating comfort foods as a part of your diet plan. Studies show that when you completely shut out your favorite foods, they will constantly be on your mind and eventually you will go on a binge (usually when an emotional event takes place). Instead of this recurring time and time again, you can indulge in your favorite foods, but in moderation. This is good news for those who are finding it extremely difficult to let their comfort foods go.

Making Comfort Foods a Part of Your Diet

You should try taking a sliver or small portion of your favorite foods and sitting somewhere quiet where you can savor the tastes of every bite (eat slowly). This will help hold back your cravings from occurring so often. You can also add healthy features to your comfort foods. For instance, with soup, you can add veggies, beans and low-fat milk to help reduce the fattening sauce and keep its thickness. If you make your comfort foods from scratch, you should try ways to trim off some of the calories it contains (like replacing meat with beans).

A Healthier Life with Comfort Foods

Comfort foods such as cookies and pizza can easily be made into healthier food. With pizza, you can simply add veggies to them or have a side of salad. Cookies can be made with less sugar and non fat products (butter, milk, etc.) With the comfort food acceptance, you may want to add an extra 30 minutes to your workout to prevent any extra pounds (just in case).

Alternatives to Comfort Foods

Most people turn to their comfort foods in times that aren't going so well. Instead of indulging in fattening foods that you'll likely eat too much of, you should try other methods of releasing your emotions. Some of the following techniques can be used to replace comfort foods:

• Meditation
• Yoga
• Exercise
• Hot bath

These are all great for relieving stress that can cause emotional binging of comfort foods. Try some and see what works the best for you. Stress can also play a factor in weight gain, so these can also help relax your body.

Sources:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11023692/ http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NAH/is_1_33/ai_95909853/pg_1