What a Girl Wants... isn't What a Guy Wants!
In addition, this study shows chromosomes play a part in the foods you reach for: Men, for example, find comfort in foods associated with meals prepared by their mothers (e.g. mashed potatoes) rather than from snacks and sweets (except ice cream).
Women, however, want foods that don't involve preparation, such as pre-packaged sweets. For example, the researchers pointed to one study that showed 92 percent of self-reported "chocolate addicts" are women.
"Because adult females are not generally accustomed to having hot food prepared for them and as children saw the female as the primary food preparer, they tend to gain psychological comfort from less labor-intensive foods such as chocolate, candy, and ice cream," Wansink said.
Mood Matters
Over the years, many experts over have suggested that giving into cravings is more often the result of "emotional eating", which is usually brought on by depression, loneliness, or anxiety. However, this study turns that theory on its ear:
- "The opposite is often true," Wansink said. "People are more apt to seek out comfort foods when they're jubilant or when they want to celebrate or reward themselves."
Wansink also stated that the types of food that give us comfort may vary according to mood. Cases in point: If you're feeling happy, you're likely to get a jones for pizza. Get the blues and you won't be able to get those chocolate chip cookies off your mind.
The study also showed that adults often crave foods that connect with specific personal events or to people in their lives (e.g. desiring particular foods someone you love enjoyed). Some foods stir vivid reactions when tasted or smelled or come to be associated with personal identity (e.g. males viewing steak as a "strong and all-American" food choice).
