Why is Comfort Eating So Comforting?

January is usually the time of year that ushers in an array of diet and fitness programs to target those who feel as though they have overindulged during the festive season and want to turn over a new leaf for the year ahead. I happened to come across an episode of, “You Are What You Eat” and the hosts were supporting their guests who were struggling with unhelpful eating, to make changes and incorporate more exercise into their lifestyles. As I was watching, I was thinking, there are reasons why they have fallen into unhelpful eating habits, as food can feel very comforting and can be a go-to self-soother for many of us. Especially after a long stressful day, when we finally get to put our feet up and relax in front of the TV or with a good book and chow down on our favourite indulgent sweet or salty treat. How many of us are familiar with this internal battle; "Just one more, this really is the last one, how on earth are these things so moreish?! Right, that's enough now. Ok, the next one is definitely the last one!" whilst the contents of the share size pack rapidly disappears before our eyes! The struggle is indeed real!

Back to the Show...

As the show progressed, the guests were confronted with how extreme their comfort eating (aka emotional eating) had become, and it was unsurprisingly revealed that they also struggled with their mental and emotional health. As a therapist, I am interested in root causes, so I wondered if the unhelpful eating was a symptom of deeper issues? Of course, changing eating and lifestyle habits can be very helpful, however, I wondered how sustainable these new habits were in the long term if mental and emotional issues were not also worked through?

Back to the Question...

So why does food feel comforting? There is no simple answer, and reasons may vary from person to person. However, biopsychology research is helping to provide some insights into the intricate links between food, our bodies and mental/emotional wellbeing .

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that, among many other processes, is involved in the regulation of mood. Serotonin is produced in the central nervous system, particularly the brain, taste receptors on the tongue, and over 90% is produced in the gut (Cleveland Clinic 2024). The gut has also been referred to as the second brain and studies have found a bidirectional link between gut microbiota and mood disorders (Goldin 2021). Söderquist et al (2020) found that gastrointestinal symptoms were found to be more prevalent in those with depression and anxiety. Certain foods also trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter chemical associated with pleasure, which can contribute to the development of cravings (Mitchell and Moore 2024). This suggests that food can literally affect our mood and likewise, mood can affect our eating habits.

The Joy of Eating!

In general, food is for our nourishment and enjoyment, one of life's pleasures, what else are our tastebuds for right!? The ability to experience and delight in the rich diversity of flavours and textures seem to be built into our physiology! So, it's ok to enjoy eating.

However, the problem arises when diet becomes imbalanced and we excessively rely on the comfort certain foods give us to soothe and/or avoid addressing painful emotions and experiences, which could lead to detrimental effects on health and wellbeing.

Therapeutic Response...

So, my therapeutic response would be to offer an empathetic, non-judgemental space to work with clients to explore their relationship with food, and what it may represent to them. To also gently explore any guilt and/or shame associated with eating habits. Food-mood diaries can help to identify and monitor patterns. A holistic approach, looking at familial, cultural and generational influences, as well as psychoeducation about the body’s interaction with food may also be helpful. When we address the roots by unpacking the 'what?' and uncovering the 'why?', this could help to provide a stronger foundation on which to build the 'how to'- helpful sustainable lifestyle habits, whilst experiencing the pleasures as well as the benefits that food provides.

References

Cleveland Clinic (2024) ‘Serotonin’. Available at: Serotonin: What Is It, Function & Levels (clevelandclinic.org) (Accessed 25 May 2024).

Goldin, D. (2021) ‘Understanding the Gut-Brain Connection’. Psychology Today. Available at:  Understanding the Gut-Brain Connection | Psychology Today (Accessed 25 May 2024).

Mitchell, L. and Moore, J. (2024) 'The Neurochemistry of Food Cravings'. Available at: The Neurochemistry of Food Cravings | Psychology Today (Accessed 17 January 2025}.

Söderquist, F., Syk, M., Just, D., Kurbalija Novicic, Z., Rasmusson, A., Hellstrom, P., Ramklint, M and Cunningham, J. (2020). ‘A cross-sectional study of gastrointestinal symptoms, depressive symptoms and trait anxiety in young adults’. BMC Psychiatry 20, 535. [Online] https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02940-2 (Accessed 25 May 2024).

You are what you Eat (2025) Channel 5, 5 January.