Why do we treat biriyani as a emotion?

Reading time:5 minutes

Why do they taste so good? Why is it easy to eat unhealthy foods?  I am no foodie, but I swear, I can finish two 6- inch sandwiches and still can eat cookies.
Most people are anxious around food or feel guilty for eating "unhealthy foods". "Burning off Diwali foods", "detox drinks" is not new to us.
How can we achieve eating healthy with a hint of cookies and chips and feel perfectly good about it?

What do I mean when I say unhealthy foods?

Foods that give minimal or no nutrients to your body. Foods that tick all the boxes for the definition of "D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S". These foods don't look like foods found in nature. Companies add sugars, emulsifiers, preservatives, additives to make us want to crave them.

Disclaimer: For those who are working on their relationship with food, I would advise don't read after this. It might be triggering to you. Meet you at the next one. Cheers XOXO

 
SO, let's continue, What was I saying?... Ah, even though it is a treat to the eyes and mouth, it does affect your body.
How do unhealthy foods affect your body?
Studies have shown that it affects your mental health, how you feel, your energy levels, skin, gut, and many more.
If it is so unhealthy to our body, why do we crave then?

A study shows that when we consume unhealthy foods, it signals to our brain indicating reward. Thereby, releasing hormones like dopamine and serotonin(feel-good hormones).
It seems like a reward to us because, in earlier days, we didn't always have access to our next meal. Since foods high in carbs and fats give instant energy to us, we crave to eat more for them. In the modern era, even when we have regular access to food, our brains haven't developed to suit our modern lifestyle.
So how can we achieve balance around foods and eat in moderation?
Let's see how lifestyle factors affect how one looks at food:
1. Anxiety and stress: When we are stressed, we turn to food for comfort. Researchers asked people to solve unsolvable puzzles to increase their stress levels and noticed that people chose to consume foods high in sugar and salt.

Interesting fact: Research shows that people with chronic stress, like having a stressful job, living in a family with less affection turn to food for comfort.
2. Sleep: Sleep-deprived/restricted makes you more hungry because the body releases more ghrelin hormone(hunger hormone) throughout the day, so people tend to eat more calorie-dense foods and, around 80-90 percent of foods are salt and sweet.

3. Menstrual cycle: We all know how hormones fluctuate during different phases of the cycle(28 days).
Studies show that women consume more sweets, salty foods during the luteal phase compared to other phases. The luteal phase is 14 days before the period(14-28). And they have an increased sense of smell during this phase. So if your neighbor is cooking biriyani, YOU WOULD KNOW.

4. Banning/restricting foods: "I can't eat that" actually makes you want to crave more. Even if you remove all the temptation from your home. When you get "access" to it, you tend to eat more then.
I have seen people advise not to keep snacks at home to "remove" temptations. But, I haven't seen anyone say that for eating healthy foods. But imagine going to a friend's party or family dinner and everyone eating delicious foods and you "CANT" eat them.
It is too DARN difficult.
It's sad to see how people normalized having an unhealthy relationship with food.
I am not advertising eating unhealthy foods. If you can eat healthy foods and feel OK with them. I am completely with you. It is for those who feel they have "no self-control" over unhealthy foods. Some of the best memories we had would be around food-having dinner with family, going on a date with your partner, sharing one samosa among many friends. If food is so integral in our lives, why should we ruin it by feeling anxious around food?