A new research study out of the University of New South Wales (Australia) has shown that eating junk food lowers your stress and depression levels.
But didn't we already know that? I mean, they didn't need to spend money on some study of lab rats. All they needed to do was come to my house and observe. When Emma asks for some candy and I hand her an apple instead, she takes a fit.
Oh wait. That's me.
But it is true. After a really bad day, the first thing I want to reach for is the nearest bottle of wine tub of mint chocolate chip ice cream. And if all there is in the house is fruit? God help you.
So now the research scientists are trying to find the link between junk food (with the higher fat content) and lower stress levels. Maybe it is just that it tastes good. And eating something that makes you happy...well....it makes you happy.
Because, really, what happens when you are sitting there eating your bowl of salad or 1/2 cup of salt-free almonds? Deep inside you are thinking, I wish I had a bag of M&M's right now. And that puts you in a bad mood.
Furthermore, I can prove that eating healthy food all the time can actually increase your stress levels.
You see, ever since Emma has been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, we have had to go on a gluten-free diet. Meaning, no more processed foods in the house. No more Twinkies, Keebler Chocolate Chip cookies or Betty Crocker cake mixes. Nothing with unbleached white flour.
Before, if I wanted to bake a cake or batch of brownies, I would just reach for the appropriate Betty Crocker box, add the eggs, water and vegetable oil and pop it in the oven. Simple. Easy.
Now?
Baking cakes and brownies requires no less than 12-15 different ingredients. And 45 minutes of prep time. Just trying to find all the ingredients raises my stress levels. Then having to measure 1/2 tsp of this, 1/2 tsp of that, it really gets on my nerves. And it doesn't stop there. I still have to whip up home-made frosting to go on the stupid cake. By then I am wondering why I wanted a cake in the first place.
But, thankfully, there are some pre-packaged gluten-free foods out there. To make my life a little easier.
But they sure don't beat a box of Krispy Kreme donuts.
So what is your comfort food?
14 comments:
sour skittles... Need I say no more???
Sounds like I should look for some before heading home :-)
I love you my dear
Oh my goodness, it has to be Oreos. Especially the ones with chocolate stuffing in the middle. They were Buy One, Get One free last week at the store! In college, my roommate and I could eat the whole bag in one sitting. My metabolism has slowed as I have passed 30 :( Plus I should probably share a few with hubby and kids. The bag really should last at least a few days, right?
Ever heard of Cream of Wheat (or Farina)? Strangely enough, when I'm stressed or sad, that's what I really crave. I think it's because it reminds me of my Mom, and we all know a Mommy hug can make everything better.
I'm so sorry. I used to bake all the time then realized that I ate all of the cookies I baked too so I've tried really hard to stop baking goodies. I made some "healthy" muffins on Sunday and my husband balked at me because they were bland and didn't taste good. I explained that they are nutritious. Definitely doesn't beat Krispy Kreme. I'm a sucker for ice cream, well actually really anything sweet that I'm not supposed to have. I crave sweets and crunchy things at all hours of the day.
Ummm...chocolate, chocolate, chocolate! I love strawberry cheesecake, too. :)
Chocolate! Duh. And cake. And pastries.
Let me know if you want some quicker desserts. The Jello brand mint chocolate chip pudding is yummy, by the way. And Duncan Hines frosting is GF, at least most of them are. And it's good stuff. I may have to bake those cakes from scratch, but i don't make frosting much! Oh, and there is a danish recipe you can mix up in about 15 minutes and bake in ten, which isn't that bad, considering.
Peter: You know me too well. ;-)
Chandra: I love BOGO sales!!
Brandie: Cream of Wheat?!?! I do agree that hugs from mom make everything better.
Playful: Yeah I can eat junk food all day, but especially after a rough day with Emma. :-)
Mrs. C: You know, I don't crave chocolate unless it is cold...like shakes or ice cream.
Alicia: Quicker desserts would be great!
Before my CD diagnosis, it was Pop-Tarts. I still miss them. A lot. And I get lots of blog hits by people looking for GF Pop Tarts, so whoever makes and markets a good one will get very rich!
Oh man, I am feeling so sorry for you. I'm not sure I would survive on a diet like that.
My one true love is the Godiva Chocolate Brownie Sundae from Cheesecake Factory. I can be convinced to do almost anything when bribed with one of those.
I don't know, but now I need to go downstairs and find some. But I'm pregnant so I can get away with it. :)
You had me at mint chocolate chip ice-cream (can you see me drooling??)
I could go for a Dt. Dr. Pepper with some kind of chocolate. I'm not as picky about what I eat as I am about what I drink! Those Dt. Dr. Pepper commercials about people drinking sweets that are really Dt. Dr. Pepper is SO true.
I'm so sorry about how hard gluten free cooking is. I looked up a gluten-free bread recipe, and the number of ingredients (especially types of flour) was staggering...and they wanted the baker to add some weird thing called Xantham Gum or something like that. Not pleasant at all.
My comfort foods? hot chocolate, Cookies & Cream Hershey bars, salted cashews. I try not to eat them very often though.
My step daughter has colitis and can't have wheat (and it feels like everything else!)
If you have any good cookbook recommendations for baking, I'd LOVE them.
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