The Food Lovers Comfort Cookbook: How Food Can Lift Your Spirits

The phrase "comfort food" is frequently tossed around, but what does it actually mean? Comfort food nurtures us when we need it the most. There are foods that do positively affect our brain chemistry to literally give us an emotional hug. It reminds us of the treats our parents used to prepare - great-tasting, comforting meals we scarfed up during our childhood. We felt taken care of. We felt loved. Most of the comfort food we crave are old, childhood favorites. There is plenty of research connecting mood to the food we eat. It is not our imagination that chocolate makes us feel good. It is reality. Chocolate lifts our spirits. Our moods are affected by neurotransmitters - chemicals activated in the brain - such as dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine is known to make us more alert - a good seafood meal can heighten our alertness. On the other hand, serotonin has a calming effect and creates a more positive state of mind. Comfort food literally lifts our mood. That is why so many diets fail - we deprive ourselves of comfort food when all we need to do is to regulate the portions we consume.