Chicken soup, macaroni cheese and chocolate are all comfort foods that we reach for to make us feel better, but is it the ingredients or the feelings we have towards food that makes us crave them?
As the colder months arrive, our minds habitually turn to foods that are warming and satisfying.
"One of the things people reach for when it's cold, or if they're feeling ill, is chicken soup and there's a few effects it has on us," University of Southern Queensland food scientist Polly Burey said.
"Some are psychological, and some are substances that make you feel better, the other is that it's a hot fluid."
Dr Burey says part of what makes foods like soup comforting is the memories associated with them.
"Comfort food is often tied to the feelings of someone looking after you when you were unwell or when you were younger," she said.
"Someone may have made you a hot meal that you liked the taste of and that could be the effect of spaghetti bolognaise or chicken soup."
Dr Burey says scents and food smells can be just as comforting as eating the food.
"Take coffee; the aroma and flavour can make us feel better too without drinking it, it's the smell that you associate with," she said.
"Warmth and flavours are the things you like about it that also come with the associated memories."
Many of us with a sweet tooth can often find comfort in cakes and chocolate all year round, not just in the winter months.
"There are good things in chocolate so never feel guilty about eating it, just make it dark chocolate and have a little to enjoy it," Dr Burey said.
It's true — comfort food can be healthy
Accredited practising dietitian and spokesperson for Dietitians Australia, Nicole Dynan, said not all comfort food is bad for you.
"It depends on what your comfort foods are; for example sometimes we want something warm and comforting like chicken soup, which is a healthy choice, especially if homemade as it can boost your veggie intake," she said.
"Alternatively, some comfort foods can be those that are energy-dense but don't provide much in the way of nutrition, such as chocolate and lollies.
"Enjoying these in small portions, on occasion, can help prevent unwanted weight gain or a negative impact on your health."
Ms Dynan suggests we looking at making healthy versions of the comfort foods we love.
"Add extra veggies and legumes to your bolognaise recipe, serve your apple crumble with natural yoghurt rather than cream or ice cream and serve soups with wholegrain bread rather than white," she said.
"Eating nourishing food not only helps to look after our physical health but also influences our mental health too.
"Making healthy food choices provides us with the nutrients we need and helps to improve alertness, concentration and how we feel; so we can continue to be at our best."
