When comfort food calls

Unhealthy lifestyle

With the rainy season on, who doesn’t want to snuggle inside a blanket and sip on a hot cup of cocoa or indulge in steaming hot ‘bhajjis’ with some spicy ‘chutney’? Comfort food or cravings for one may not be the same for another; nonetheless, most such foods that satiate a person are often high on calories. Bengalureans shed light on how to keep a watch on the calorie intake while satisfying one’s tastebuds.

Comfort foods vary for most people and while the dish must satiate one’s mind, it must also satisfy the hunger pang. Reshma, a passionate baker, says, “A chocolate cake slice might not be something that I would turn to as I know that it will not satisfy my hunger. But comfort food varies. The calorie content of all the foods that one eats is controlled by the fats and sugar in them.” She adds, “When one wants to have ‘paratha’ with a dollop of ghee, replacing it with olive oil or similar substitutes would help reduce the calories.”

Be it a juicy burger or a luscious ice cream scoop, understanding the nutritional value of the food is the best way to comfort oneself with it, yet not gain weight. Leena Reji Jean , dietetic and nutrition, master instructor, EBFA, says that craving a certain food or looking for comfort food depends on the psychology and physiology of a person. “The first combat point for food is one’s eye followed by the brain and the hormones.

These hormones called ‘ghrelin’ produce hunger pangs. How nicely a food is presented makes one crave the food. Sometimes, cravings can be connected to nutritional deficiency in the body too. Cravings or the want to indulge in comfort food is also connected to what one is addicted to,” she says. “The body also craves for carbohydrates and sugary items when people go on crash diets and skip meals. This leads to strong cravings and even indulgence in comfort food just for the emotional need,” she adds. Leena highlights that one should have a ‘mindful diet’. “Consuming and having food one likes indulging in is fine as long as it is limited portions,” says Leena.

It could be seasonal reasons or even high stress levels that lead to one craving for something. Mohammed Sameer Hussain, a pastry chef, says that though he has to taste the desserts he makes, he makes sure that he doesn’t do a lot of it. “Also, I make sure that I work out enough to burn the calories,” he says. He adds that when there are many orders, the kitchen experiences high levels of stress, which can lead to seeking comfort foods. “I always stock up on pistachios and almonds. I get them roasted from home and they serve as the perfect snack, when I start craving something. Also these provide energy for around three-and-a-half hours, which helps one combat cravings and stress better,” details Sameer.

One has to combat cravings in a sensible way, says Dr Geeta D H, registered dietician and certified diabetes educator. “When someone is craving ice cream, there is no point asking him/her to have a carrot. One can whip up some seasonal fruits and add some fresh yogurt and honey. This will satisfy the urge, being healthy at the same time,” she says. She adds that often people on diet or otherwise tell her that they crave a particular sweet. “So I tell them to have a ‘rasgulla’ instead of a ‘gulab jamun’. The need to have sugar to comfort one is met while choosing a better option,” she says. Geeta adds that a need for comfort food often arises when one is left hungry or craving. “Having the right proportions of anything and keeping a check will lead to lesser cravings. It is human to find comfort in certain foods, but the quantity is what matters the most,” she adds.