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and in turn choose healthier options. Less content people are more likely to overlook the big picture, picking foods that might lead to an immediate "bump of euphoria." That euphoria comes in different forms for different people. For example, Katie Rages, Hutchinson senior, enjoys chocolate as a mood-booster, while Joe Davis, Coventry, Conn., junior, relies on stuffing.
"What you think of as a comfort food and what I think of as a comfort food might vary," says Ric Steele, associate professor of applied behavioral science."Each of us has a different reward center and different foods that fulfill our expectations."
That search for a quick pick-me-up can end regrettably, thanks to our bodies' natural attraction to sweet and fatty foods. A study on stress and obesity by the University of California found that foods high in carbohydrates and fat can improve a person's mood by altering the brain's chemical balance. That's bad news for anyone hitched to a high-protein diet. Protein can interrupt the mood-improving process, forcing us to choose between healthy and temporarily happy.
But comfort foods don't lure everyone. Andy Whitehead, Leawood junior, says he doesn't change his diet when he's upset. "I don't really get cravings when I feel bad." Whitehead says. "I usually find other ways besides food to feel better."
On the other side of the coin, we also eat when we're comfortable. According to a study at the University of North Carolina, young married people gain 25 to 50 percent more weight over a five-year period than their single counterparts. Epidemiologist Robert D. Jeffery found that "marriage was associated with a significant two-year weight gain, and divorce with a two-year weight loss."
But the post-marriage bulge could be as much coincidence as fact. "As we get older, we're not as active as we were in high school or college with sports, and more sedentary at work," Cole says. "Many people were able to get away with bad eating habits when they were younger and very active, but it takes its toll when you take the activity factor away."
Bottom line: Our mood's control over our appetite isn't exactly cut-and-dry.
The Thanksgiving calorie tally
Thanksgiving is a day devoted to devouring, so it's no surprise many Americans eat (much) more than is necessary. Going all out once each year isn't among the worst of health offenses. After all, most Thanksgiving foods are nutritious, but showing restraint is still important.
Here's a breakdown of what you might gulp down during a typical Thanksgiving dinner:
Food (single serving) Calories Fat(g) Carbs(g)
Turkey breast 117 1 0
Stuffing 177 9 22
Mashed potatoes/Gravy 269 11 37
Dinner roll 107 2 18
Green beans 44 0 10
Pumpkin Pie 316 14 41
Totals: 1030 37 128
Source: www.nutritiondata.com
That list is full of healthy foods. But 1,030 calories is an excessive total for a single meal.To make Thanksgiving healthier;avoid adding extra butter to vegetables, mashed potatoes or rolls.Replace some of those potatoes with extra turkey—a good source of protein—and skip the post-meal pie.
Speeding through our meals
It's decided: You're going to ask her out. You've worked up the courage, recited lines in your head, and even washed your jeans. But avoiding awkward verbal stumbling blocks might not be the most crucial part of building a relationship. Often, the food sets the mood. "The restaurant choice can be really important." says Katie Rages. "If you go to a nice place, it might create a certain expectation. If you do a casual place, things feel totally different."
That food can make or break a date speaks to its importance in our culture. Meals stand as the centerpieces of many of our celebrations. A fall Saturday wouldn't be a Saturday without tailgating, and tailgating wouldn't be tailgating without a grill and a cooler. The "family dinner table" scene became a prominent piece of Americana in the 20th century. Thanksgiving wouldn't exist—or be much fun—without the focus on food. And believe it or not, paying extra attention to eating could be the key to keeping fit, and our society's shift from
Photo illustration by Tyler Waugh While it's tempting to turn to plates of goodies for a quick pick-me-up when you're disappointed, you and your tummy will probably regret it later.
Photo illustration by Tyler Waugh
Nom nom nom: Chocolate doughnuts and other sweets often become more attractive to us when we're unhappy or stressed.
November 20,2008
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