Eating is deeply tied to our emotional profile. Feeling celebratory? A pizza is in order. Dealing with heartbreak? Ice cream, lots of ice cream. The hormones cortisol and dopamine play a major role in what we crave and when. Cortisol, the stress hormone, makes us want to load up on carbs.
Dopamine, which is part of the brain's reward system, makes us crave
comfort foods. Eating our favorite foods triggers a release of serotonin, the
happy chemical. Eating can also be used as a distraction from painful or unpleasant emotions. Comfort foods are also often associated with
happy memories. Food for thought.
