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Deceptive meal or comfort food - which one to choose?
Table of Contents
1. "What is a 'cheating' meal?"
A 'cheating' meal is a popular trend in the realm of dieting that entails temporarily breaking away from one's diet by consuming something less nutritious, often characterized as unhealthy, fatty, and high in calories. It typically refers to a fast-food meal, sweets, or other processed dishes. It is believed that a 'cheating' meal should provide up to 1000 kcal. However, it is not recommended during the early stages of dieting as it may not yield the anticipated results.2. Free-feeding card and its benefits
The purpose of a free-feeding card is to reduce the feeling of hunger that can come with an imbalanced diet (S. B. Murray et al. 2018). People who use this type of meal want to reduce the feeling of hunger. However, it should be remembered that a properly designed diet should not cause hunger. Another reason is the desire to maintain established nutritional rules. Eating a favorite dish can also help to return to following the diet with commitment – such a deviation can be motivating. Additionally, a free-feeding card aims to improve well-being. However, it is important to remember that eating under the influence of emotions is not the best option. To build a healthy relationship with food, it is worth remembering that occasionally eating something less healthy is not a bad thing.3. Deficiencies of the dietary deceit meal
Research has indicated that the application of this dietary trend is linked to the occurrence of eating disorders with episodes of overeating (S. B Murray et al. 2018). Alarmingly, it is the most prevalent disorder - it is diagnosed in up to 3.5% of women and 2% of men in the U.S. population. Additional investigations have shown that individuals who are obese are more susceptible to developing emotional eating disorders than those with normal body weight (K. B. Murray et al., 2018). The sensation of temporary relaxation of dietary restrictions can result in deceit meals turning into deceit days, and then into deceit weeks. This, in turn, can lead to the complete abandonment of the diet and healthy eating patterns. Consuming a high-calorie meal also increases the risk of idleness. It is worth considering who the target of deceit meals is. Using them as a form of relaxation from the diet can be harmful. If the diet is taxing and demanding, it is worth questioning whether it may be too restrictive and improperly composed, making it difficult to adhere to the diet.4. What does food providing solace entail?
Solace food refers to products or foods that have sentimental or nostalgic significance. They also enhance mood. However, it is emphasized that these types of dishes are usually unhealthy. Solace food literally means 'food that provides solace,' i.e., those that satisfy emotional needs and bring psychological relief. It is also called comfort food or food to feel less lonely. Although it is difficult to definitively determine which types of food can also be included in this group, as it is a matter of very individual preference, depending on the person's preferences and personal experiences. Some people consider solace food to be a food that enhances a person's self-confidence and well-being. However, it is important to note that the selection of solace food is highly individual and depends on the preferences and experiences of the individual.5. Comfort food - its advantages
The purpose of consuming comfort food is to improve mood. For a specific individual, it can be a yeast cake that brings back memories of a carefree youth and a Sunday at Grandma's, for another person, the favorite coffee every morning. There's nothing wrong with that, as long as food doesn't serve to regulate negative emotions. Comfort food can simply be a pleasant, tasty meal that enhances mood. If we pay attention to what lands on our plate daily, and we maintain proper body weight, then consuming a comfort meal shouldn't be a cause for concern.6. Perils associated with consuming soothing foodstuffs
Stress is often accompanied by changes in eating behavior. In Germany in 2022, studies were conducted which showed that participants in stressful situations most frequently reached for chocolate and coffee (K. Gemesi et al. 2022). Coffee in moderate amounts usually has health benefits, but eating chocolate in small quantities is often difficult, especially under stress conditions. This can in turn contribute to the intake of too many calories and simple carbohydrates, which negatively affects health and achieving a healthy body weight. Scientific research shows that eating under the influence of emotions can lead to eating disorders such as bulimia (K. Czepczor-Bernat, A. Brytek-Matera 2017). Eating comfort food as a way to compensate for emotional tension is therefore not a suitable way to regulate emotions. In studies, an attempt was made to answer the question of whether this dietary trend actually guarantees good psychological well-being (H. S. Wagner et al. 2014). It was found that comfort food improves mood, but does not influence psychological well-being to a greater extent than other meals.7. Is it genuinely a cheat meal or a comfort food – what is worth choosing?
Many people enjoy going for less nutritious foods that bring in a good mood occasionally. When following a diet, both cheat meals and comfort foods can be a type of so-called. sinful pleasure, however, comfort food appears to be a safer option since it does not carry as much risk of eating disorders. It is important to remember that in a properly balanced diet, there is also room for those less healthy, high-calorie foods, such as sweets or fast food. There is no need to be afraid of such products - they can be included in the menu and enjoyed. The best solution is to choose an individual path and approach the topic sensibly, so as not to regulate emotional tension through food. Such a way of eating helps in forming healthy habits that will stay with us longer.
