Do you seek comfort in food?
By ahgong
@ahgong (10064)
Singapore
March 24, 2009 12:40am CST
Many times, when we are feeling sad, or angry, or frustrated, we tend to seek comfort in something.
It can be anything. From turning on your favorite CD to listen to your favorite tunes, to eating your favorite food.
And the amazing thing is, when ever you seek comfort in what ever it is you do, that down period just do not feel so down no more.
My greatest comfort when I am feeling down is in food. I know it is bad. But it just makes things feel so much better.
There is just something in the food that makes one feel good when eating it. And that good feeling of food in the mouth, just takes you to another place that is not so frustrating as what you were feeling before you started eating.
But there are times when I am not allowed to munch as I wished.
And if you are already feeling frustrated, you get more frustrated.
Or you feel guilty after eating something that you are not suppose to eat cos you are trying to lose some weight!
It is a vicious cycle!
So, what do you do when you are feeling down, angry, frustrated or sad?
Do you seek comfort in food like I do?
7 people like this
29 responses
@domesticengineer (576)
• Philippines
24 Mar 09
Hello. Well, we're almost exactly the same. Food, especially those that are not nutritious are the ones I turn to whenever I feel depressed or angry. I tend to eat junk foods and drink a lot of soda. Then after that I feel so full. But in fairness, after eating I don't feel as bad as before. Well, based on some studies as I've already read it. Eating is our bodies means of relaxation. Can you see those basketball players chewing a gum during games? That is to ease tension and be able to concentrate on the game. Likewise, soldiers too chew gums during battle. So, I think we're still on the right place because we resort to food instead of violence when we feel frustrated or depressed.
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
25 Mar 09
Nope.. I dun seek comfort in food even though i like food.. I like to enjoy them but not abusing them.. lol =D TO me, food is a form of relaxation and supposed to keep me going.. hehe ^_^
My only way and the most effective way of seeking comfort or cooling down myself ,will be through my runs ^_^ Be it a lung bursting long run or a short 2.4km sprint, both are able to make me feel better after which ^_^
And it will be even better if there's a drizzle for company along with my run.. lol =D
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
26 Mar 09
Yeah, the adrenaline rush definitely helps alot.. lol =D SIwmming or brisk walking do help also, as long as they are exercises ^_^ Or whatever thing u are doing, that will shift your focus away, will be fine too ^_^
haha =D Dun u need to go back for ICT de meh?? U are only CAT Y1 wor.. hehe
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
24 Mar 09
My favorite thing to do when I'm in an extremely emotional state is to do some gardening. If the weather isn't cooperating, I normally clean something... typically, the whole house! It depends on how emotional I am.
I've never taken solice in food, thank goodness. When I'm upset or sad, my stomach gets tied up in knots and I avoid eating. But, going outside and working with the soil always calms me down. I've called it "therapy" many times.
Once, in an especially frustrating time in my life, and there was very little gardening to do, I sat myself down in the grass and started pulling clover out of the grass. I don't like clover. It's a weed that will choke the life out of grass, given the opportunity. So, I started pulling it out by the roots. Before I knew it, hours had passed and I was feeling so much better!
A neighbor happened to drive by and stopped, looking at me with a most perplexed look on his face. I said one word, "Therapy." He understood. (He knew my husband... my EX husband now.)
It works for me! 
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
25 Mar 09
I heard of people using gardening as a way to relax and take their mind off things.
I could never do gardening!
Everything that comes under my hands will die in a matter of days. And if I am lucky, a matter of weeks.
I suck big time when it comes to gardening! 
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
25 Mar 09
If your frustration, anger or sadness is caused by a particular person (and they are not a member of your household) you should do some gardening at their house!
You could tell them you'd like to do it, for free, making them think you're doing them a favor, then kill everything in sight just by touching it. Ah, vengeance is sweet!!!
1 person likes this
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
25 Mar 09
that's something i need to battle with--my tendency to overeat when i am emotionally disturbed.
i guess i turn to food for comfort too along with other measures like music, talking it out to someone, walking or just watching tv.
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
25 Mar 09
I am sure you are not alone. That is why we need to try and seek comfort in foods that are not too unhealthy.
Try fresh fruits?
Or the lower suger alternatives to the sweets we like to take when we are feeling down?
I don't know. The rest of the methods do not work all the time for me.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
25 Mar 09
I don't know but on my lowest times, I crave for the unhealthy stuffs! Haha. yah, gotta have to battle it!
I'm still not over your 7 big cats 7 girls discussion. Grrrrr ahgong grrrrrr.
1 person likes this
@ank_47 (1959)
• India
1 Apr 09
If I am angry or very sad, I don't have a mood to eat any food .
just i keep quiet and sometimes i sleep more. in sleep i can forget about my sadness and anger .
i will be in too tensed mood and i can't speak for one day .
@cuttyrish (2667)
• United States
31 Mar 09
yeah, sometimes when i am sad, i like to treat myself by going outside and eat all kinds of delicious food..i do not eat alot though, lol.. i know my limitations... i also like to shop when i am sad..and when i do not shop when i am sad, i love to play video games...
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
26 Mar 09
Hi ahgong,
Occasionally yes.
Sometimes when you are feeling a bit down on the swing position, you feel like a hug. What do do if there is no one to hug you? - you search for that warm feeling of a hug that can be sometimes artificially generated by food.
Hence the magic phrase "comfort food".
I don't really have any comfort food in particular. But sometimes I just feel like eating something and doing so can help me pretend I am feeling better.
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
26 Mar 09
Hi, ahgong! I don't normally seek comfort in foods. But, when I am eating any kind of food, I do tend to think about many good and bad things that are taking place in my life as of now and in the past. If, I indulge in fatty foods and foods that are sweet, I may just put on a few pounds. And that I am not trying to do!
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
31 Mar 09
Yeah... and the good ones that can really take away the frustrations are usually the ones that are the most sinful to the waistline!
Well, it is a very hard habit to break. And requires a lot of discipline to not be tempted to turn to food for comfort!
Thanks for sharing my friend!
@margaux08 (1094)
• Philippines
28 Mar 09
Hi ahgong,
This is definitely true! Whenever I fee lfrustrated, I tend to bend on sweet food. But lately, a grande cup of White Choco Moccha fro mStar Bucks will save the day. Listening to music also helps a lot to ease the frustrations or at least wipe away or subside some touch of sadness. Usually Ne-Yo makes me cry but at the same time makes my heart feel extremely happy...just listening to his songs.
1 person likes this
@sumiirajj (1983)
• India
25 Mar 09
Hi friend,I feel the same too whenever I feel depressed and frustrated.I think about eating my favorite food or drinking a cup of coffee if it is not food time.That is very true that we feel some relief when we eat our favorite food at the time of depression and frustration.I though I am only like that ,consoling to hear that many of us feel the same.Thanks for sharing.happy mylotting.
@23uday (2997)
• India
25 Mar 09
Hi friend,
When i get bored or in sad mood, i will be in some seek comfort in something.
I will read books of my favorite books,listening to slow music,playing
game in computer.Some times i get a bore to eat a food and not comfortable food.
I will live it my sad moods,angry and my feeling i will turn in to positive way
and think in a positive so no worries,no problems will be their.
have a nice day.
1 person likes this
@eselmaro (208)
• Philippines
25 Mar 09
When it comes to food I really seek comfort in it, if only I am in in the good mood. But when it I am so frustrated, haggard, stressed and even depressed, oh c'mon! Anykind of food will do. All I want is to eat and eat. Though later on I will realize that I will gain more because of what I did. All in all, I am still choosy when it comes to food.
1 person likes this
@haoli1118 (121)
• China
25 Mar 09
Sometimes I did such like yours
But always I WILL shout, and remove the furstrated feelings out of my heart.
I also have some food. When i have foods, i will forget the bad things and the bad feelings
1 person likes this
@SHAMRACK (8576)
• India
24 Mar 09
Dear friend,
I do get comfort from food when I am hungry of if I would wish to have a tasty food. Other emotional discomfort are dealt from other aspects like relaxing, talking with someone close to me, just going for a movie, or walk, for just being alone so on.
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
25 Mar 09
I see. Well, sometimes when you are feeling down, relaxing doesn't do squat.
But talking to someone does.
Oh yes, watching a good movie does make one feel good too. But the movie must be good. I have gone for movies to take my mind off some frustration. I ended up more frustrated cos the movie was a rip-off! 
@sameroad (3179)
• United States
25 Mar 09
Sometimes i seek comfort in food... it's hard to control sometimes but not always...
depends on why i might be seeking comfort in something. I turn to music too and I work out, go for a run or something.. i try and get away from everyone and just relax, clear my mind and clam myself down. music works the best...well, music and food lol but i think music works better. i think it actually helps rather then just comforting me for that moment.
1 person likes this
@ionsquare (530)
• Singapore
25 Mar 09
Hi,
I don't seek comfort in food when I am feeling down as sometimes I just don't have the usual appetite for food when I am unhappy. However, sometimes I do feel happier when I am having food that I like and enjoy. I avoid seeking too much comfort from food as I need to control the amount of food intake to avoid gaining too much weight.
@zhuhuifen46 (3483)
• China
25 Mar 09
I have a friend who has been an expatriate all his career life. And during his seldom home stay, his wife will cook for him all kinds of food specializing different cultures. And along with the food, they will listen to different music, say, chinese, mexicon, french, italian, korean, japanese, etc. A funny and interesting couple, isn't it, but really knows how to enjoy life.
1 person likes this
@knowledgeocity (39)
• United States
24 Mar 09
As a food lover myself, I know how you feel. But for the sake of your health, think about other activities you enjoy, a hobby of some sort you can do when you are feeling down instead of eating.
I personally love basketball, so whenever work stresses me out, I go right after work to the courts and play. When I am playing basketball, I don't think about anything else. I feel doing something like that can really helps you gain some energy and improve your mood.
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
25 Mar 09
Hmm... I have tried that before. I walk off the frustration, but there is still something missing eventhough the anger is no longer there.
It is only after eating something that one will feel complete.
I know it is a bad habit. And bad habits are hard to break. Working on it! 
I know it is a bad habit. And bad habits are hard to break. Working on it! 
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
25 Mar 09
I'm a big believer in comfort food. There are times where pancakes just hit the spot and make everything in the world better. I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Comfort foods can take us back to times in our childhood in which we felt secure. I think there are times in life that we just need those memories to help us revitalize.
Namaste-Anora
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
25 Mar 09
Hmm... I never really thought of it that way. As in reminising about my childhood time when I eat something to be comforted.
But it does make good sense. That we are eating something that makes us feel good a secure. Just like the first time we had it when we were kids!
Thanks for sharing that point my friend.
