Sometimes there is absolutely nothing that can console, uplift, and even bring healing to a broken heart, sadden spirit, or ailing body like a good serving of comfort food. With so much focus on low fat, low calorie meals there's a tendency to feel guilty about enjoying comfort foods. Comfort food may not be the ideal choice for daily meals but it is the perfect choice when your body and soul needs a little lift. When that need for comfort food arises, if I deprive myself of that pleasure my anxiety increases. There is absolutely no comfort in deprivation.
For reasons I do not fully understand, women have a tendency to engage in self deprivation in order to meet the needs or satisfy the desires of others. I've watched this scenario happen many times. Mothers are notorious for depriving themselves. They will refuse that last piece of dessert so that someone else may have it. They will neglect to buy items they need so that other family members can have something they want. Almost all women seem to deprive themselves of personal time. They are too busy doing something for everyone else to allow themselves a little pampering time, quiet time, exercise time, or much needed, well deserved sleep time. Everyone needs and deserves to enjoy some comfort food from time to time. No one, not even busy women and mothers should deprive themselves of that pleasure.
I'm not sure if it's the flavor of the food or the memories associated with it that give certain dishes the distinction of being called comfort food. I think for me it is largely memories that give certain foods their comforting power. I have wonderful memories of my grandmother's delicious homemade potato soup that seemed to have a magical healing ability. My mother can make macaroni and cheese that I believe could win the title of ultimate comfort food. On a more simple level I consider a steaming hot bowl of mashed potatoes, cheesecake, and as odd as it may seem to some people, a grilled cheese sandwich to be comfort foods.
On a cold winter day when a seasonal cold makes me feel terrible I allow myself the indulgence of a bowl of potato soup or chicken soup and I actually do feel better after that. When I've rushed around at a hectic pace until my mind is simply screaming for some quiet time, macaroni and cheese can be my source of comfort. Taking time to prepare it at home enhances the comfort I get from this dish. But, if time simply doesn't allow for the pleasure of leisurely cooking, a serving of macaroni and cheese in the quietest corner of a small restaurant is also comforting. On a day when it seems the odds are stacked against me, a delicious piece of cheesecake can instantly improve the moment.
Of course eating only comfort foods would not be considered healthy. Most comfort foods are foods that could quickly pack on pounds. However, a small indulgence once in a while can be very soothing. I have found a way to preserve those comfort food memories even when I'm not eating. I have a couple of recipes from my mother and grandmother, written in their own handwriting displayed in my kitchen. I can look at those and reminisce and not gain a single pound. I have a certain bowl that I like to eat macaroni and cheese or mashed potatoes from. Creating a decorative display in the kitchen using that bowl allows me the pleasure of enjoying the thoughts, associated with it even when I'm not eating from it.
Holidays are often stressful. Comfort food can ease holiday stress. There are certain traditional foods that I associate with the holidays. Most of these food are not low in calories nor are they among the top 100 healthiest foods to eat. However, if I spent the holiday depriving myself of comforting holiday foods, I would end up frustrated and unhappy. The key to enjoying the comfort foods of the holiday season is to enjoy them in moderation. Store as many memories as you can of the pleasurable time associated with that comfort food. Memories are weightless.
For those who insist on rejecting the enjoyment of comfort foods due to their calorie content, there are ways to modify the traditional versions and make the comfort food of choice in a healthier manner. Personally, I think that there are just some times when I need to focus on healing my body, lifting my spirit, or resting my mind. There is no comfort in deprivation but there can be a lot of comfort in a serving of homemade soup or a bowl of mashed potatoes.
