Do you know that feeling when, after a hard, stressful day, you fancy eating something good? Most often it is not a sophisticated dish in a trendy restaurant, but, on the contrary, something simple, homely, safe. Something that puts you in a good mood, calms you down, relaxes you. This type of food is known as comfort food, simply put, food that makes you feel better. What kind of food can be described in this way, is it healthy and can it be found in every shop? Let us explain!

What is comfort food

According to sources, the phrase was first used in 1966, in the US magazine Palm Beach Post in an article on obesity. The thesis in it was that some people reach for a certain type of food in stressful circumstances to calm themselves down and improve their mood. The soothing effect of these foods is not just because they are tasty and satisfy hunger, but more importantly because they evoke positive associations, trigger good memories and refer to moments when we felt happy and calm. Interestingly, it is difficult to pin down exactly what foods fall into this category. Due to their sentimental nature for each person, they may be completely different foods or products. Differences are also bound to arise because of the culinary traditions prevalent in different countries and regions. However, it is possible to pick out food groups that are almost always on the list of ‘comfort food’. In the Polish reality, these are usually:

• Sweets, confectionery and bakery products - sweets of all kinds are always among the products that make us feel better. The sugar they contain causes the body to rapidly release the happiness hormones endorphins, dopamine and serotonin. In addition, cakes, pastries, ice cream and other desserts often accompany celebrations, so they can evoke positive emotions associated with these.

• Home cooking - noodles, pasta, dumplings, pancakes and various types of patties are simple dishes associated with ‘grandma's kitchen’. For many people, these dishes evoke the carefree childhood and the sense of security and care they felt then.

• Traditional and festive dishes - dishes prepared for important holidays, anniversaries and family gatherings are also very often indicated as comfort food. Reaching for such dishes is also about evoking the special atmosphere that prevails at such celebrations.

• Fast food - Foods such as burgers, casseroles, fries, toast, pizza and hot dogs are also very often mentioned in the context of ‘comfort food’. One of the characteristics that allow them to fall into this category is their high availability. They are foods that are obtained on the spot, thus quickly satisfying the need to improve one's mood.

Is comfort food healthy

The answer to this question is not clear. It all depends on what constitutes our favourite comfort food and how often we reach for it. At this point, it is worth explaining how the mechanism of enhancing our well-being through food works. An area of the brain called the pleasure centre or reward system is responsible for experiencing pleasure while eating. It is part of the limbic system, responsible for regulating our emotional states. The pleasure centre contains cell bodies that secrete dopamine, the hormone that plays the most important role in the emergence of feelings of pleasure. Increased dopamine secretion can be stimulated by certain substances as well as activities and behaviours. Higher concentrations of the hormone occur, for example, during physical exertion, but also when we reach for food we like. High levels of happy hormones help to reduce stress and have a beneficial effect on the whole body. However, given that sweet, high-calorie and often highly processed foods with low nutritional value are usually on the list of our comfort foods, it is worth exercising restraint and not treating this type of food as the best remedy for a bad mood.

Comfort food in your shop

As you can easily guess, the products and dishes on the comfort food list can be found in the assortment of every grocery shop. You will find them both among fresh and frozen items, in the delicatessen, confectionery and bakery sections, as well as at the increasingly popular hot food stands. You will find all the equipment and furniture you need to store them properly in the RAPA range!

If you would like to know more about our offer, please contact us by phone on 81 742 53 10 or write to: rapa@rapa.lublin.pl. We will be happy to answer any questions!