Why is it that food serves so many purposes other than nourishment?
I am embarrassed to admit this publicly, but I often find myself downing something heavy on carbs (baked goods and pasta products are my favorites) when I’m:
- Not looking forward to an event or occasion
- Bored by something I’m doing
- Facing an imminent work deadline
- Feeling bad or sad about something
- Tired from too little sleep
It seems that food is called upon to meet impossible demands. I mean, how can the same bagel both stimulate and sooth, energize and calm us? I searched the ‘Net for some explanation for our stress-related cravings.
I found that the American Psychological Association (APA) issued two press releases last month related to stress, emotions, and unhealthy behaviors, including what the APA referred to as “comfort eating.”
The APA says that a survey of 2,152 adults found that “One in four Americans turns to food to help alleviate stress or deal with problems.” Comfort eaters suffer from higher than average levels of stress and experience the most common symptoms of stress to a greater degree.
These symptoms include fatigue, lack of energy, nervousness, irritability, and trouble sleeping. Comfort eaters are also more likely than average to have high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol.
Girls, listen up: more women than men say that they’re comfort eaters: 31% of women versus 19% of men. More women than men say that stress affects their lives (51% vs. 43%), and women report being “stressed out” by a greater number of things than men do.
The bottom line is that, while things like comfort eating (as well as alcohol, smoking, and inactivity) may help decrease stress in the short term, they only set us up for more stress in the long term. Why? Because these behaviors can eventually result in serious health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.
Of course, the APA recommends that people find healthier ways to deal with stress. Easier said than done.
Why can’t someone simply invent comfort food that’s good for you? Wouldn’t that solve this problem? (And please, don’t try to tell me that a creatively prepared fruit or vegetable is comforting.)
It seems to me that, if we can put a man on the moon, what’s the big deal about developing a delicious diet doughnut?