comfort food

[alpharaposa]

I made more onigiri this week. While I was eating one for lunch today, I remembered what the justhungry website said about them. "This is true Japanese comfort food."

Which got me thinking about comfort food in general. Filling food, simple to make and usually found more in kitchens than in restaurants. Stuff that sticks to your ribs.

In Japan, it's onigiri.

A lot of people in the US would say mac 'n' cheese.

Personally, I find that pasta 'n' potato (a variant of mac'n'cheese with fries and mozzerella) to be the cure for a bad day. Mashed potatoes comes in a close second.

anher is very fond of sausage gravy and biscuits, which is a more southern comfort food.

I suppose in the US, comfort food would depend on what part of the country you grew up in. Grits are popular in the deep south (and part of the culture there), but not so much in New York.

So, what's your comfort food?

Comments

[haikujaguar.livejournal.com]

I note with interest that "comfort food" (usually consumed with emotionally down or unstable) seems to contain a lot of carbs. Blood sugar issues, maybe, and food designed to address it.

[stryck.livejournal.com]

I noted the similarity myself, which prompted the post.

Stress does a lot to wreck the body, and the carbs might help to relieve that by providing a steady energy supply.

Also, I think that carbs were shown to prompt the release of "happy" signals. I should do some googling tonight and see if I can find anything on that.

[haikujaguar.livejournal.com]

If only it worked that way. Most of the time when I see people eat a lot of carbs, they get happy for a little bit and then crash later.

Some few folks have more moderated responses to insulin; those are the people we observe who can eat tons of bread and not get chubby. But I don't know a lot of people like that. :,

[stryck.livejournal.com]

I'll crash after eating a lot of simple sugar, but not complex carbs like bread.

Actually, eating a LOT of simple sugar will upset my stomach these days. One reason why I avoid most sodas.

Found an article with a possible reason why people feel better after eating carbs: http://www.thefactsaboutfitness.com/research/dieting.htm

[haikujaguar.livejournal.com]

Crashes after complex carbs tend not to be as easily noticed: they're not sudden plunges, but rather crabbiness, a slow drift into melancholy or fatigue, sleepiness... the kind of thing that gets mistaken for other stuff.

You can off-set it a little by eating your complex carbs with protein and fat, though.

[stryck.livejournal.com]

That might be why. I'm big on protein!

[haikujaguar.livejournal.com]

Me too. I feel sick on a protein-light diet. :)

[stryck.livejournal.com]

I occurs to me that the divide between those who can eat tons of bread and those who can't might also be a matter of genetic stock. Most of my heritage comes from the British Isles, all cold and damp, while yours comes from sunnier (and warmer) climes.

Just a thought. Maybe not the biggest factor, but probably a factor.

[haikujaguar.livejournal.com]

I'm sure it's genetic. I'm just not sure that it's entirely racial. Particularly in America, where so many people are mutts.

[prester-scott.livejournal.com]

I'm not meaning to be a spoiler here, but I am really trying to unlearn the whole concept of "comfort food." Using food for consolation or to relieve boredom has resulted in me being fat all my life. I am rebuilding my approach to food into something more rational (I eat what I need to live and work), and less susceptible to the winds of baser emotions and appetites. I am on a very calorie-restricted diet right now, and although it does get tedious and I have my share of cravings, I am kept in check by my higher purpose.

[stryck.livejournal.com]

Eating to relieve boredom is entirely out of my experience.

I think there's a line that can be drawn between eating some pasta for dinner instead of salad because you want some carbs, and eating extra food as a kind of therapy. It's like the difference between drinking one drink and drinking enough to get drunk.

I know there are those for whom "one drink is too many". Similarly, there are those for whom the insidious phrase "It's okay to cheat once in a while" becomes the basis of broken diets and a mountain of guilt.

[tuftears.livejournal.com]

Jook, or as it's sometimes called, congee, is a rice porridge, usually with bits of Chinese sausages added, or other meats. Chinese donuts, or lengths of salted dough fried up, make a great additive. Not very good for you of course, but. That's a true Chinese comfort food!

[that-guy-zach.livejournal.com]

The Canucks have their Poutine, but for me comfort food will always be a meal of steak and potatoes, nothing is more comfortable than a hunk of beef, and a potato of some nature.

That said, my moms Tuna Noodle Casserole comes in a close second, and there is also a comforting nature to Grilled Cheese and PB&J sandwiches.

[kishiriadgr.livejournal.com]

Stouffers (must be Stouffers) macaroni and cheese.

[collinsmom.livejournal.com]

My favorite right now is Wee Willies' (a restaurant here) biscuits and gravy. It's better than Bob Evans or Steak and Shake (which if you want a serving of good biscuits and gravy, is good). It makes me happy if I am having a bad day.

Also, I eat if I am upset, usually cream horns.