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The term comfort food refers to any food or drink to which one habitually turns for temporary respite, security, or special reward. The reasons that something becomes a comfort food are diverse but include the food's familiarity, simplicity, and/or pleasant associations. Small children often seem to latch on to a specific food or drink (in a way similar to a security blanket) and will repeatedly request it in high stress situations. Adults, however, are certainly not exempt.

A substantial majority of comfort foods are composed largely of simple or complex carbohydrate, such as sugar, rice, refined wheat, and so on. It has been postulated that such foods induce an opiate-like effect in the brain, which may account for their soothing nature. [1]

The term comfort food was added to the Webster's Dictionary in 1972.

Contents 1 Types of comfort foods 2 Associated eating disorders 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

While any foods or beverages could be a comfort food depending on a person's taste, there are few foods that might be considered "universally" accepted comfort foods. Most comfort foods are regional in nature, such as fried chicken in the American South, or a hotdish in the Upper Midwestern United States, or roti in India. Because it is subjective, it is impossible to compile an accurate or full list. Ultimately "comfort food" is defined by the the eater, rather than the food itself. Even the term "comfort food" is not universal; in the UK, for instance, the term "nursery food" has a similar meaning, although it also refers to food given to young children. Both terms may refer to childhood favorites that are still enjoyed in adulthood.

Comfort food may be comforting because of its apparent hedonic value. A person can distract oneself temporarily from the stresses of life by enjoying a delicious meal or snack.

The vast majority of people who enjoy good tasting food do so in moderation, and are generally in good health, mentally and physically. However, the potential for "mis-use" exists, and individuals who are suffering depression or some anxiety disorders may regularly turn to food for comfort or to cope with stress, anxiety, fear, or any number of negative emotions. As the individual turns more and more to food to satisfy an emotional need, an eating disorder can result.

Bulimia is a disorder in which the individual suffers anxiety about his or her body image, turns to fattening foods and drinks for comfort, and then vomits them to avoid weight gain. Night eating syndrome is a disorder in which a person is unable to sleep, and turns to food as an answer to their insomnia, and other emotional needs. While both of these affect relatively small percentages of the population, in both the "comfort value" of the food plays a central role in the disorder.

• Coping (psychology)
• Comfort object
• Compulsive overeating
• Night eating syndrome
• Hedonism
• Diabetes mellitus

• How carbohydrate addiction happens
• "Comfort foods" by Rachael Ray (ISBN 1-891105-05-1)
• "This Is Delicious! What Is It?: An Eclectic Collection of International Comfort Foods" by Robert Meyers-Lussier (ISBN 0-595-30505-9)

• Gender preferences in "comfort" foods stem from childhood
• Comfort Food on Chefs.com Recipes and articles about comfort food.
• Comfort food Arical What is Comfort food?