Comfort foods can help make the short days and chilly nights a little bit cozier. We all have comfort foods, don’t we? Sometimes just the smell of a dish, like pancakes frying on a Sunday morning when you’re lying in bed, or a single ingredient, like coffee, can evoke strong memories.
In Canada, people in different regions identify different comfort foods. On our east coast, folks might crave seafood chowder, while prairie folks might long for cheese perogies. Quebecers might desire a thick slice of tourtière to an order of fish and chips. And there are differences from country to country, as you might imagine. Chicken paprika, shepherd's pie, chicken and dumplings, Schnitzel with gravy, matzo ball soup, moussaka, and miso soup are some comfort foods from around the world. They all have something in common. “They cheer us up after bad breakups, warm us up on cold winter days, and remind us of the wonderfully simpler times of childhood.”
A study conducted in 2015 discovered a strong relationship between comfort foods and significant relationships in people’s lives. Appealing on their own, they were also connected to happy memories of important people (your family, close friends, or people who took care of you as a kid.)
Just recognizing that some foods can help raise our spirits for a while can help us depend on them less. While they bring us “comfort,” we know we can’t rely on them for our everyday fare. We need variety in our diets in order to be healthy. Canada’s Food Guide has good, health-giving suggestions that we’d be wise to follow. And if from time to time we feel the need for comfort food, let’s try to enjoy each bite, while recognizing that it’s a treat not a staple food.
Sometimes I just want a slice of rhubarb pie with ice cream. That’s one of my comfort foods. What’s yours?
We’d love to see you at TOPS. We meet every Wednesday morning at the Community Centre, from 9:00 to 10:00. We’re a low-cost, enjoyable, self-help program that cheerfully welcomes everyone. (Your first visit is free.)
- 45 Great Canadian Comfort Foods | Food Network Canada
- Here's What Comfort Food Looks Like Around the World
- Comfort Foods From Different Countries Around the World | Fix.com
Submitted by Amber Harvey