Ashley Smith

Hi, I'm Ashley a junior majoring in political science! I love to experiment with food and try all different cuisines. With my family being from the Midwest my favorite has to be good old comfort food. Outside of school, I love photography and anything to do with nature.

These are Pfannkuchen (German Rolled Pancakes). I grew up eating them as a kid and they are still one of my favorites! Very similar to a crepe but you fill the center (I fill it with peanut butter and syrup) and then roll it with your fork. The recipe for Pfannkuchen in my family has been passed down orally and through practice over the generations:

2 eggs

1 cup flour

pinch of salt

a little sugar

milk until right consistency

Home Cook'n

Why The Food We Eat Matters

Introduction

Food plays a crucial role in human existence, not only by sustaining our physiological needs and ensuring survival but also by permeating our lives with deeper connections and significance. Food can embody cultural and societal implications, the food we consume and the cultural connotations identified in it have the ability to influence our emotions and hormones(Shepherd and Raats 2006). The importance of the food we choose to eat extends beyond basic health benefits. While food is undeniably necessary for survival and sustaining our lifestyles, its significance exceeds mere physical nourishment. A strong relationship between emotions, memory, and food has long been manifested giving rise to a socially constructed concept known as ‘comfort food’(Locher 2006). Foods that bring a sense of nostalgia, satisfaction, or physical comfort can deeply impact the social and emotional welfare of an individual. The notion that food can act as a form of solace during a time characterized by overwhelming division and disarray is of great significance. The aroma of a freshly baked apple pie, the heat from the grill as barbeque ribs slowly cook, or the sight of hot mac and cheese epitomizes American comfort foods. These traditional staples have the power to elicit memories of childhood, conjuring a sense of home and familial warmth. Foods possess the innate ability to shape emotions, creating the feeling of bliss and ease. Comfort foods transcend borders and languages, acting as reminders of the power food has to provide contentment and familiarity amidst moments of anxiety or sorrow.

Background

Comfort food is a time-honored tradition, relied upon by many for years as a source of support. In times of despair, trouble, or uncertainty comfort food has often been turned to as a form of reassurance. Its reliable and familiar attributes make it a comforting staple in many cultures. It evokes memories of happier times, family, and resembles a a feeling of security. These enduring characteristics make for the long-standing history of comfort food. They have persisted even amongst the 1990s diet craze and the rise of upscale experimental restaurants. People continue to seek and prepare quintessential comfort classics due to their perpetual appeal. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a Nielsen survey unveiled a spike in shopping purchases of chips and instant potatoes. At the same time, restaurant owners found an increase in orders of mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and soups(Faries 2019). These newfound preferences reflected a mutual appetite for foods that brought warmth and comfort during a time when the country was mourning. Comfort foods are not merely a figment of our imaginations to rationalize the indulgence of emotional eating; it has undergone scientific and psychological research, exploring the benefits and impact food has on our emotions and psyche.

Research conducted by academics such as Charles Spence from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford furthermore sheds light on the origins and effects of comfort food, affirming its importance beyond simple self-indulgence. Spence’s review of comfort foods in the International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Sciences provides an examination of both its effects and formation. Spence observes that “... it would seem that certain foods take on their role as comfort food through association with positive social encounters in an individual's past”(Spence 2017, 108). This perspective argues that comfort food takes on

a subjective nature and is established through personal experience and history in relation to a particular dish. Comfort food lacks absoluteness, it instead takes on many different compositions depending on the country, cultural context, and personal fondness towards the food. Seeing the variability associated with comfort food, further studies into the social significance of food as explored by Julie Locher et al. in the publication of “Comfort Foods: An Exploratory Journey Into The Social and Emotional Significance of Food”, expand on how food serves as a reinforcement to our sense of identity. Locher and the fellow scholars who contributed to this article discuss the connection that food prompts amongst those whose communities may feel distant(Locher et al. 2006). One way to combat this conscious feeling of isolation is to exert some control over emotions through food. Locher et al. (2006) further elaborates on this point by saying “people have become increasingly disconnected from their communities, which leads to personal dislocation… consuming particular food objects is one primary way in which individuals can exercise control over the body, the mind and therefore over identity…” (274). These scholarly articles provide a glimpse into the comprehensive analysis of the role of food, particularly in the role of comfort food in our lives.

Image 1.1: This image illustrates what food does to our nervous system specifically in triggering our long-term memory and emotions via our limbic system.

Brown, Nicola. 2016. The science of why we love comfort food. PartSelect.com. 6. December. https://www.fix.com/blog/why-is-comfort-food-so-tasty/.

What is Comfort Food?

In order to understand the importance of comfort foods, it is essential to first define them. Spence (2017) identifies comfort foods as "...those foods whose consumption provides consolation or a feeling of well-being"(105). These foods provide a sense of ease and offer emotional and psychological comfort(Spence 2017). Comfort foods cannot be narrowed down to one category or type of food. This is simply because what brings a person comfort is abstract. Instead, Locher et al. narrows comfort food into four categories; nostalgic, indulgence, convenience, or physical comfort foods (Locher et al. 2006). Although, Locher et al. labels comfort food in four distinct categories for most, comfort food lies within nostalgia linking a person to a favorite time or place from childhood (Spence 2017). Comfort foods are those associated with fond memories of people or places in our lives, thereby creating a sense of security within a person. However, no matter the individuality of comfort foods, there are regional and cultural cuisines typically universally cherished. These dishes could include, but not be limited to, hamburgers for the United States, Peruvian ceviche, or fish and chips in the United Kingdom. While these nationally treasured dishes may serve as a comfort food to a large portion of its population, it is important to note that they do not represent the entirety of people’s comfort food preferences. Image 1.1 depicts the process that occurs in our nervous system while consuming food that is associated with positive connotations. As we indulge in our comfort food of choice the smell travels through our nasal cavity and into our olfactory bulb, where it is filtered and intensified. That intensified smell is sent to the limbic system, responsible for our emotional and long-term memory functions triggering pleasure induced by the food we eat. This illustration allows a better understanding of what occurs to the physiological processes when we correlate food with a specific memory. Comfort foods are those that allow us to relive some of the happiest memories in our lives, they give us “some sort of psychological, specifically emotional, comfort”(Spence 2017, 106).

Where Do Comfort Foods Come From?

Building upon our definition of comfort foods, it is next essential to explore where they stem from. While one might assume that they originate from the culture or country of origin, this inference only partially examines the complex genesis of comfort foods. Comfort food is highly versatile, “...what constitutes comfort food differs widely from one individual to the next (e.g., LeBel et al., 2008; Troisi and Gabriel, 2011; Wansink et al., 2003), and from one culture to another”(Spence 2017, 106). Comfort food is an individualized experience, shaped by personal associations and connotations with food. However, this is not to say that cultural and national identity do not influence our food preferences. Generally where a person is from and the local cuisines available will mold what comfort food looks like. Alejandro Colas Chapter 4 focuses on the cultural role food plays within society. The food we consume and seek pleasure from is often influenced by our cultural practices and religious devotions (Colas 2018). If an individual follows the Islamic religion they most likely would not find comfort in something their faith finds unpure or halal, for example, pork. Similarly, cultural practices within regions of India would constitute it unacceptable to eat beef. This cultural taboo would skew most from indulging in beef products like hamburgers. Although comfort foods present a wide diversity, there are a few underlying themes that can be explored to help understand where they stem from. They are often high-calorie foods, full of sugar and/or carbohydrates, and often are associated with childhood and home cooking (Spence 2017). Comfort foods act as filling substitutes for the emotional satisfaction that we are trying to achieve. Comfort foods evoke a sense of familiarity and can act as mood boosters. This idea is expanded on by Locher et al. through the study of undergraduate students who were assigned to bring a dish, that specifically upon explanation made them feel good or provided them comfort, to share with fellow students (Locher et al. 2019). The study found that each dish brought shared commonalities in the emotions they evoked(Locher et al. 2019). The foods that made the students feel good “were those evoking a sense of familiarity”(Locher et al. 2019, 279), often associated with a memorable event, affirming their comforting quality. Many of the foods demonstrated in the study were ones that were consumed during times of sadness or sorrow, serving as mood-boosters, creating an association with these foods as special pick-me-ups (Locher et al. 2019).

Brown, Nicola. 2016. The science of why we love comfort food. PartSelect.com. 6. December. https://www.fix.com/blog/why-is-comfort-food-so-tasty/.

Comfort foods are unique to each person, stemming from the personal association connected to a particular food. While this concept may seem abstract and difficult to contextualize, the why people seek comfort foods can differ based on gender and age (Rozhan 2019; Locher et al. 2019). Men and women not only seek comfort food for different reasons but also find comfort in different foods. Women often turn to comfort foods when lonely or sad (Spence 2017). There is a negative connotation behind women seeking comfort while for men it is the opposite. Men seek out comfort foods as a personal reward, having a much more positive association with the food they consume (Spence 2017). Locher et al.’s study found that more male respondents found filling foods comforting compared to their female counterparts. The experiment found that “men are more likely to indicate hot foods and main meals as their comfort foods, while women choose sweets or snack foods”(Locher et al. 2019, 288). Locher et al. hypothesize this gender difference to the differing gender roles that are present; women associate femininity with preparing full, hearty meals for others, while men associate eating food that others have prepared as masculine (Locher et al. 2019). Age can also be a determining factor in personal comfort foods. Different age groups correlate different foods as comforting. The ages of late teens to early thirties prefer ice cream and sweet treats, mid-thirties to early fifties find solace in soup and pasta, and those fifty-five and over prefer soup and mashed potatoes (Spence 2017; Wansink and Sangerman 2000). Older generations may be seeking comfort in warm, physically comforting foods due to the physical change they provoke. Warm dishes, like soups and pasta, actually “warm the body… associated with feelings of coziness and warmth”(Locher et al. 2019, 287). Younger generations tend to find comfort in food with higher sugar content releasing serotonin, a naturally produced chemical stimulating the feeling of happiness or joy(Spence 2017). These differences between gender and generations allows for a deeper understanding of what different people may be trying to substitute with comfort foods. Although not universal, our preferences in comfort foods can be deeply influenced by identity, gender, and age. Comfort foods stem from within a person, serving as cherished memories, reminders of favorite people, or homage to favorite places.

Anon. TasteAtlas: Travel Global, Eat Local. https://www.tasteatlas.com/.

Why is This Important?

Although comfort foods can be influenced by a plethora of outside factors beyond those examined here today these influences do not minimize the role they play in our lives. While comfort food is deeply rooted in personal experience and preference, its impact is universal on overall well-being and satisfaction. Comfort foods prove that food is much deeper than our physiological need to survive. They allow us to feel connected in times of need, to those far away, or to a place that we call home. Comfort foods allow us to “manage difficult and troubling emotions by recalling past experiences of warmth and intimacy with others”(Locher et al. 2019, 294). Food can act as a bridge between our physical location or emotional state and the place or emotion that we are longing for. Those who are far away from home use food as a way to alleviate feelings of homesickness (Locher et al. 2019). Food can remind us of a place or person that we no longer have near and can help reduce the feeling of isolation. Seeking comfort in food can also act as a step to control and regulate our emotions (Spence 2017; Locher et al. 2019). When all else seems out of our control food can be the one thing that is comforting and reliable. Colas Chapter 8 “Identity; Nationalism, Ethnicity, and Religion” accurately captures the function food plays in representing a sense of belonging and identity. The food we consume is greatly influenced by who we are and where we come from. The food we prepare and seek is a way to connect ourselves to a sense of identity and home. The Italian American diaspora brought an influx of Italian cuisine to the States, illustrating the tendency for people to bring what is familiar to them during periods of change(Colas 2018). Comfort food acts as a universal method of regulating emotions, bridging physical distances, and strengthening our cultural and national identities. Comfort food is a prime demonstration of the importance of food beyond sheer survival instincts.

In conclusion, the various importance of food extends well beyond the need for sustenance and survival. Comfort foods play a pivotal role in the prosperity of human well-being, whether that be through the regulation of emotions, social connection, or personal identity. Comfort foods are deeply entwined with memories and personal history, they serve as a glimpse into the people we are. They manifest themselves as a form of solace in times of uncertainty and despair or as a reward in association with positive affirmations. Comfort foods act as a bridge between our physical being and a sense of home, connecting us to distant loved ones or a place where we feel most secure. They can represent our diverse origins, portraying the various religious practices, cultural backgrounds, or national identities we may embody. Comfort food is a deeply personal experience, stemming from memories, people, and places in our lives. They are turned to in our happiest and darkest moments, seeing the worst and best of us. Food has the power to make us feel at home when home is miles away and to connect to those we love when they are no longer near. This is the importance of comfort food, it opens a pathway to deeper connection not just to those we love but to ourselves. When examined deeply comfort foods encourage personal reflection, forcing an individual to search within themselves and find what they are missing. It provides a connection to something much larger than ourselves, linking us to our family, our heritage, and our cultural roots. This is the vast beauty and power of food. When looking into your own life what foods or dishes come to mind when thinking of the fondest memories or favorite people in your life?

Conclusion

References

Anon. TasteAtlas: Travel Global, Eat Local. https://www.tasteatlas.com/.

Brown, Nicola. 2016. The science of why we love comfort food. PartSelect.com. 6. December. https://www.fix.com/blog/why-is-comfort-food-so-tasty/.

Colas, Alejandro. “Culture: Ritual, Prohibition, and Taboo” In Food, Politics, and Society: Social Theory and the Modern Food System. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520965522

Colas, Alejandro. “Identity: Nationalism, Ethnicity, Religion” In Food, Politics, and Society: Social Theory and the Modern Food System. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520965522

Faries, Dave. 2019. Burning question: What does comfort food mean? Monterey County Weekly. 18. October. https://www.montereycountyweekly.com/blogs/food_blog/burning-question-what-does-comfort-food-mean/article_87bf98b4-f1e8-11e9-a8ca-0bc7b7e803b3.html (accessed: 10. March 2024).

Locher, Julie L., William C. Yoels, Donna Maurer and Jillian Van Ells. 2005. Comfort Foods: an exploratory journey into the social and emotional significance of food. Food and Foodways 13, Nr. 4 (1. October): 273–297. doi:10.1080/07409710500334509, https://doi.org/10.1080/07409710500334509.

Rozhan. 2019. The Importance of Comfort Food – UAB Institute for Human Rights blog. 25. February. https://sites.uab.edu/humanrights/2019/02/25/the-importance-of-comfort-food/.

Spence, Charles. 2017. Comfort food: A review. International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science 9 (1. October): 105–109. doi:10.1016/j.ijgfs.2017.07.001, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878450X16300786.

Shepherd, Richard and Monique Raats. 2006. The Psychology of Food Choice. CABI. https://books.google.com/books?id=DJPHxPg2oJQC&printsec=copyright#v=onepage&q&f=false.

Wansink, Brian and Cynthia Sangerman (2000), “Engineering Comfort Foods,” American Demographics, July, 66-67

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