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May 16

Coronavirus diets: What’s behind the urge to eat like little kids? – Richmond.com

Have you noticed grabbing an extra bag of chips at the supermarket? Or eating more frozen dinners than you used to? Or even eating snacks that you havent eaten since you were a little kid?

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended nearly every facet of our daily lives, from how we dress, to how we work, to how we exercise.

Its also changing the way we eat. As a registered dietitian and nutrition researcher, Im fascinated by the types of food people are buying during this strange time.

One recent survey found that 42% of respondents indicated theyre purchasing more packaged food than they typically would and less fresh food.

Sales of frozen pizza have almost doubled. Sales of frozen appetizers and snacks think Bagel Bites are over a third, while ice cream sales have increased 36%.

According to Uber Eats, the most common food delivery order in the United States has been french fries, while the most popular beverage has been soda.

To me, these foods have one thing in common: Theyre the stuff we ate as kids.

Why might grown adults be reaching back into the pantry of their pasts? What is it about a pandemic that makes us feel like were teenagers at a sleepover?

The reasons are deeply rooted.

At its core, the purpose of food is to nourish. Of course food provides us with the necessary energy and balance of vitamins and minerals to power and fuel the body. But anyone whos reached for a pint of Ben and Jerrys after a particularly stressful day will know that nourishment is about more than nutrition.

During periods of stress, people tend to eat more and show a greater preference for higher calorie foods. The sweeter and saltier the better. Regardless of hunger, a tasty snack can feel comforting. Theres evidence to suggest that highly palatable foods, especially those high in fat and sugar, may elicit a response in the brain that is similar to the response from opioids.

Yes, a delicious slice of rich chocolate cake can be just as good as drugs.

We tend to call many of these foods comfort foods, but the definition of comfort food is a bit slippery. Food is deeply personal. The foods that comfort people depend on their cultural background, taste preference, and personal experience. We know, however, that food can induce feelings of nostalgia that transport us back to simpler times.

So perhaps its no surprise that, during a period of uncertainty that has many of us desperate for some relief and comfort, the foods of our childhood can act as a salve. For some of us, that bowl of Lucky Charms isnt just a sweet treat; its a reminder of days gone by, a time of safety and stability.

Theres nothing inherently wrong in finding temporary relief from chaos and uncertainty through food. But its probably best to view these changes in eating behavior as a temporary habit during a weird time. After all, a diet rich in macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets doesnt exactly set our bodies up for long-term success.

As peoples lives start to regain some sense of normalcy, diet can actually be a major part of the equation. Returning to a more health-conscious diet could be part of reestablishing your previous routines. And if youve never been able to find the time to prioritize healthy eating, now could actually be a good opportunity to start laying the groundwork for habits that become the new normal.

Krispy Kreme giving away a dozen doughnuts to 2020 grads: Heres how to get them

Theme park recipes you can make at home: Disney, Universal, Busch Gardens share dishes

This copycat Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich recipe will satisfy your fast-food craving

A guide to picking, storing and eating spring fruit

You need to understand the coronavirus pandemic, and we can help.Read The Conversations newsletter.

Carli Liguori does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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Coronavirus diets: What's behind the urge to eat like little kids? - Richmond.com


May 16

The UK Lockdown Diet Report: Brits Struggling As They Pile on the Pounds, Reveals The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan – Yahoo Finance

- New research finds that almost half of Brits have put weight on since lockdown began

- The UK Lockdown Diet Report reveals a rise in comfort eating and alcohol consumption

- The millennial generation is of greatest concern with 59% seeing considerable weight gain

- Awareness still lacking, with 30% unaware of the risks associated with obesity and COVID-19

LONDON, May 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report can reveal that almost half of Brits (47%) say they have put on weight since the start of lockdown.

Infographic shows state of the nations diets during lockdown

The UK Lockdown Diet Report by The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan has revealed a troubling trend with increased alcohol intake (35%), comfort eating (24%) and lack of exercise (17%) being key factors behind the weight gain, as people have socially distanced from everything but the fridge and food cupboards.

The report shows more than half (53%) of Brits stockpiled foods like pasta, chocolate and crisps, with only 13 per cent stockpiling frozen fruits and vegetables, which are known to contain essential nutrients.

The diets of millennials have been most affected, with 59 per cent of respondents saying they have gained weight during lockdown, and 16% of all questioned putting on five pounds or more.

Despite the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak instigating wider conversations around the nation's health and the importance of a balanced lifestyle, 30 per cent of Brits are still unaware of the risks associated with obesity and COVID-19, which have been recognised in recent research by Edinburgh University and Imperial College London.

However, the research shows that Brits are already planning to reduce their weight gain, with 30 per cent intending to take immediate action by either increasing their exercise (45%), changing their current eating habits (41%) and even reducing their alcohol intake (21%).

And while lockdown is causing lots of Brits to turn to food for comfort, its implications on our health is not going unnoticed. 48% of people say their overall attitude towards their health has been affected by the outbreak, with many previously taking their health for granted or are now planning to make considerable changes to their lifestyle as a result.

From anxiety to boredom, the top 10 reasons dieters have seen a weight gain during lockdown are:

Experts are warning that Brits are on a slippery slope which could lead to many experiencing significant weight gain once lockdown, as we know it now, is eventually lifted.

Jane DeVille-Almond, chair of The British Obesity Society said:

"Recent evidence has highlighted the added risk of complications from Covid-19 for those carrying excess weight but still people are piling on the pounds during lockdown. It's not surprising, many of us turn to food and drink when we are anxious, stressed or simply bored.

"However, in many ways there has never been a better time to think about changing our lifestyle, we have had the time to eat better, plan our meals better and exercise more.

"There is no magic pill for gaining a healthier weight, but it does take effort and commitment.

"If you are concerned about your weight don't wait for lockdown to finish before you start making changes as that's simply another excuse for never getting started."

For more information about the British Obesity Society, please visit http://www.thebos.org.

* Research carried out through OnePoll in April 2020 of 2,000 UK adults.

Notes to editors

Photo: https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/87b5434084c0d996913d7162aa4d9b10

Read the rest here:
The UK Lockdown Diet Report: Brits Struggling As They Pile on the Pounds, Reveals The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan - Yahoo Finance


May 16

Road diet coming next week as Forrest Hill undergoes lane reduction – Pekin Daily Times

Phil Luciano Journal Star @lucianophil

FridayMay15,2020at10:40AM

PEORIA Motorists could encounter minor traffic delays next week as Forrest Hill Avenue undegroes a road diet, according to the citys Public Works Department.

In a road diet, lanes are reduced with the aim of improving traffic safety and increasing space for bicyclists and pedestrians, according to the department. Work will start Monday and is expected to be completed by the weeks end, weather permitting.

Restriping will be done on a one-mile stretch of Forrest Hill Avenue, between University Street and Sterling Avenue. The current five-lane roadway will be narrowed to three-lanes. The completed roadway will have one lane in both directions, a center left turn lane and bicycle lanes.

Wet pavement markings require several minutes to cure, and driving through them can cause unsightly tracking and damage to vehicles, the department said. Motorists are urged to use alternative routes and avoid the area.

Read more:
Road diet coming next week as Forrest Hill undergoes lane reduction - Pekin Daily Times


May 16

Immunity building: Ensure your diet is full of these essential nutrients – The Indian Express

By: Lifestyle Desk | New Delhi | Published: May 15, 2020 9:10:45 am Make sure your diet is full of essential nutrients. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

A healthy outside starts from the inside this can be achieved with a few simple dos and donts. But it must be noted that no single food can help build immunity. One needs to consume desired amount of all nutrients, water and eat a variety of foods within each food group to ensure adequate intake of important nutrients, recommends Dr Anita Jatana, chief dietician, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital and convenor, Indian Dietetics Association Delhi.

* Proteins are one of the most critical nutrients that support our immune system. Indians usually tend to consume lesser amount of proteins since many of us are vegetarians. So simple ways of including proteins is pulses, beans, legumes, milk and milk products, nuts and oil seeds, apart from eggs and non-vegetarian foods. Vitamin C is not only a physiological antioxidant but also helps to regenerate other antioxidants within the body. Include vitamin C rich foods like amla, guava, oranges, lemon, tomato, bell peppers and green chillies.

* Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, has several important functions. Besides being essential for bone health, it is important in improving resistance to certain diseases and even fight depression. It is found in fatty fish, eggs and fortified foods like milk, cereals etc. Getting sunlight exposure between 11am to 1 pm, for 20-30 minutes is a good way to ensure its availability.

* Zinc deficiency can impact the immune system. Natural sources of zinc are flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, black sesame seeds, whole legumes, dark chocolates and nuts.

* Vitamin A is an important antioxidant nutrient that helps the body fight against infections. All dark green leafy vegetables, papaya, pumpkin, carrots and mango are good sources.

* Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant vitamin and critical for the proper functioning of the immune system. Good sources of this vitamin are nuts like almonds, pistachio and seeds like sunflower seeds, walnuts, flaxseeds, chia and sunflower seeds.

* Iron, an important part of your blood, plays a vital role in helping the body fight infections. You can choose non-vegetarian sources such as lean meat, fish, eggs, or vegetarian sources like drumstick leaves, mint leaves, nuts to get your daily dose of iron. To bust a common myth, beetroot and apples are not good sources of iron as it is commonly believed, points out Dr Jatana.

* Other important micronutrients that can impact our immune system are selenium, B6, B12, folate and magnesium. Indians are blessed to have herbs and condiments right in their kitchen and turmeric, tulsi, clove, garlic, ginger and cinnamon can play an important role in immunity building.

* Studies have shown that excess intake of foods rich in sugar, refined flour and saturated fats such as sweetened beverages, high fat baked foods, fried foods, alcohol has shown to have harmful impact on the immune system and hence should be avoided or consumed in moderation.

* Along with balanced diet rich in above mentioned macro and micronutrients, it is also important to have a good sleep pattern, incorporate exercise in the daily routine and manage stress to stay active and healthy.

Always remember your health is in your hands, so plan your diet and lifestyle in such a way that supports your body in building immunity.

The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

For all the latest Lifestyle News, download Indian Express App.

IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd

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Immunity building: Ensure your diet is full of these essential nutrients - The Indian Express


May 16

How to live longer – the spice you should add to your shopping list to prevent early death – Express

The key to living longer could be to eat a healthy, balanced diet - including at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day - as well as regular exercise. But you could boost your life expectancy by regularly eating turmeric, it's been claimed.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a well-rounded diet is crucial to prolonging your lifespan.

You could also boost your lifespan by doing regular exercise. Its the miracle cure weve all been waiting for, according to the NHS.

Making some small diet or lifestyle changes could help to increase your life expectancy and avoid an early death.

Adding more turmeric to your diet could protect against some types of cancer, experts revealed.

READ MORE: How to live longer - the best drink for boosting your life expectancy

"Several spices have been linked to protecting against cancer, including ginger and black pepper.

"But the strongest evidence so far is for turmeric. Several lab-based studies show that curcumin in turmeric seems to be able to kill cancer cels, particularly in the breast, bowel, stomach and skin, plus it even seems to prevent more from growing.

Eating turmeric could also help to protect against dementia, they added.

Curcumin may prevent plaques forming in the brain, which are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimers disease.

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How to live longer - the spice you should add to your shopping list to prevent early death - Express


May 16

Cambridge diet weight plan report reveals Brits gaining weight in lockdown and how to turn it around – Cambridgeshire Live

The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan recently released a new report that has revealed many Brits have gained weight during lockdown.

Almost half of Brits (47%) say they have put on weight, according to the UK Lockdown Diet Report by The 1:1 Diet byCambridgeWeight Plan.

Known more commonly as the Cambridge Diet for years, the 1:1 diet aims to achieve rapid weight loss through meal replacement shakes, soups and snack bars.

The health plan dates back to the 1960s and was devised by Dr Alan Howard, aCambridge Universitybiochemist - hence the name.

The new report found that increased alcohol intake (35%), comfort eating (24%) and lack of exercise (17%) were key factors behind the weight gain.

Calling all parents. Stop what youre doing. Put down the wine glass. Step away from the school books. Quit pretending you cant hear the children squabbling. We need your brains. Right here. Right now.

We are asking you to take part in our Great Big Parenting survey to show the world, politicians, fellow parents, just what life is like in Lockdown.

Help us paint a true picture of how this crisis is affecting you and your loved ones.

If it feels like we are living through history, its because we are - and this is your chance to help us record it.

Fill in the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LLWG75D

It will only take a matter of minutes!

p.s. And for the record, we think you're doing a grand job.

The report shows more than half (53%) of Brits stockpiled foods like pasta, chocolate and crisps, with only 13 per cent stockpiling frozen fruits and vegetables.

The diets of millennials have been most affected, with 59 per cent of respondents saying they have gained weight during lockdown, and 16% of all questioned putting on five pounds or more.

Despite the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak instigating wider conversations around the nation's health and the importance of a balanced lifestyle, 30 per cent of Brits are still unaware of the risks associated with obesity and COVID-19, which have been recognised in recent research by Edinburgh University and Imperial College London.

However, the research shows that Brits are already planning to reduce their weight gain, with 30 per cent intending to take immediate action - by either increasing their exercise (45%), changing their current eating habits (41%) and even reducing their alcohol intake (21%).

And while lockdown is causing lots of Brits to turn to food for comfort, its implications on our health is not going unnoticed. 48% of people say their overall attitude towards their health has been affected by the outbreak, with many previously taking their health for granted or are now planning to make considerable changes to their lifestyle as a result.

Experts are warning that if people continue to fall into unhealthy habits it could lead many of them to gain significant weight after lockdown is lifted.

Jane DeVille-Almond, chair of The British Obesity Society said: "Recent evidence has highlighted the added risk of complications from Covid-19 for those carrying excess weight but still people are piling on the pounds during lockdown. It's not surprising, many of us turn to food and drink when we are anxious, stressed or simply bored.

"However, in many ways there has never been a better time to think about changing our lifestyle, we have had the time to eat better, plan our meals better and exercise more.

"There is no magic pill for gaining a healthier weight, but it does take effort and commitment.

"If you are concerned about your weight don't wait for lockdown to finish before you start making changes as that's simply another excuse for never getting started."

Continued here:
Cambridge diet weight plan report reveals Brits gaining weight in lockdown and how to turn it around - Cambridgeshire Live


May 16

One Easy Way To Improve Your Overall Health: Eat Less Salt – WBUR

Most Americans eat far more salt than they should, exceeding the dietary guidelines for sodium.

Doctors say too much sodium leads to high blood pressure and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. But how much salt is too much?

After almost a decade of controversy over this question, the National Academies of Science released new recommendations last year, says Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist, professor of medicine at Tufts University and dean of the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

According to the new guidelines, adults shouldnt eat more than 2,300 milligrams of salt per day. But in reality, Americans are eating much more than that close to 3,500 milligrams on average, Mozaffarian says.

Globally, we're kind of right about average. There are some countries that are actually around [2,200 to 2,300] milligrams a day on average where they should be, mostly countries in Africa, he says. There's countries that are around 5,500, especially in Asia and China, where there's huge amounts of soy sauce.

There arent any clear benefits to having a lot of salt in your diet, Mozaffarian says. Sodium actually causes more harm than good. For one, it raises blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Sodium gets into our bloodstream and it expands the volume, the amount of fluid in your bloodstream, he explains, and it makes the kidneys work harder to pump it out, and it makes the heart work harder to pump that extra fluid.

Over the long term, high blood pressure can lead to scarring in blood vessels, the heart and kidneys, which can lead to problems such as heart or kidney failure, he says.

Mozaffarian says its pretty simple for individuals to gradually reduce salt intake because the human tongue receptors for salt are very adaptable.

Within a few weeks, if you changed your salt intake and you increased it or decreased it dramatically, the tongue receptors adjust, so the food tastes the same again, he says. So that means if as a population, as a whole, we slowly reduce salt in this country over a few years, nobody would notice. All of our tongues would adapt and we'd be healthier.

On an individual basis, reducing salt intake is easy. But in order to reduce salt levels on a mass scale, restaurants and the food industry need to get on board, Mozaffarian says.

In countries such as the United Kingdom and Turkey, governments have partnered with industry to establish voluntary sodium reduction targets, he says. But in the U.S., Congress has blocked similar efforts after pushback from parts of the food industry.

How foods are packaged and preserved needs to fundamentally change, Mozaffarian says.

Salt plays a key role in keeping foods fresh, he says. About 80% of salt in the U.S. food supply is from packaged and processed foods. In fact, a single slice of bread on average has more sodium than a serving of potato chips, he says.

A serving of potato chips might have 80 or 100 milligrams of sodium on average. A single slice of bread, just one slice, can have 300 milligrams of sodium, he says. Bread shouldn't last for weeks in the grocery store and on your shelf without going bad, but it does. Much of that is the high sodium.

Its important to be more conscious of the amount of sodium in processed foods, especially now as more people are cooking at home during the coronavirus pandemic, Mozaffarian says.

I think that nutrition is as important as ever, he says. I think, for those that are able to do it, [with] restaurants being closed, this is a great time to learn how to cook and get reacquainted with cooking. That's the simplest way to lower salt.

Julia Corcoran produced and edited this interview for broadcast with Tinku Ray. Samantha Raphelson adapted it for the web.

Here is the original post:
One Easy Way To Improve Your Overall Health: Eat Less Salt - WBUR


May 16

What are the most important nutrients endurance athletes need in their diet? – 220 Triathlon

Firstly, its very important that athletes consume a balanced diet which includes all of the macronutrients, namely protein, fat and carbohydrate. Foods high in protein, such as meats, fish, eggs, dairy or vegan-friendly sources such as tofu, chickpeas or soy products, are essential for a long list of metabolic processes and recovery following exercise.

Fats are essential for processes such as hormone health and transporting nutrients around the body, while carbohydrates are important for fuelling high-intensity exercise and immune health.

However, these foods dont only contain protein, fat or carbohydrate, they contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals which contribute to optimal bodily function.

Iron is one nutrient of particular importance to athletes as it supports blood health and transports oxygen around the body. Athletes are also at a higher risk of iron deficiency than the general population due to the mechanisms in which iron is lost from the body, e.g. sweating, blood loss in the gut from the mechanical jarring during running, the breakdown of blood cells in the feet from foot-striking, and, for female athletes, menstruation.

So athletes should aim for 2-3 servings of iron-rich foods per day, examples include: liver, beef, sardines or salmon, lentils, nuts, seeds, wholegrain cereals, such as oats or muesli, and green leafy vegetables, such as kale.

MORE NUTRITION ADVICE

Diet nutrient split: whats the right balance for triathletes?

The vitamin B complex: Why are the B vitamins important to athletes, and should you supplement?

Vitamin E: What is it and why is it important to athletes?

Vitamin C: What it is and why its important to athletes

Vitamin D: why its important for athletes and when you should take it

Sodium bicarbonate: why athletes take it and how it improves performance

Whats the difference between fruit and vegetables, and which are best for athletes?

See the rest here:
What are the most important nutrients endurance athletes need in their diet? - 220 Triathlon


May 16

Is the Buddhist Diet the calm we need right now? – Hindustan Times

Buddha might have taught about dieting hundreds of years ago. Raised in luxury, the young prince Siddhartha had a taste of decadence before he lived as a wandering ascetic, starving himself nearly to death. The insights of food restrictions Buddha gleaned from his quest can be enlightening for the modern dieter.

And you dont have to be Buddhist to try it. All you need is a clock, an open mind, and the willingness to endure it.

Deepika Wadhwa, a practitioner of Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism says, During his lifetime, the Buddha concentrated on defining the basic principles or premises according to which people should live and left it to his adherents to consider exactly how these principles were to be carried out. The principle of oneness of mind and body teaches that a healthy body can only be achieved if the mind is kept strong and vice versa. Hence, a strong belief in leading a healthy lifestyle is as important as incorporating healthy foods and exercise in ones life. Eating at the right time and in right quantity is the Buddhist way of healthy nourishment.

Like many religions, Buddhism has food restrictions and traditions and is based on three dietary aspects- vegetarianism, alcohol restriction and fasting. Buddhist philosophy condemns any killing as every being has right to live. Manish Khatri, a follower of Buddhism says, Dietics, under the Buddhist tradition, is based on the principle of non harming. One of the moral percept in the Buddhist noble eight fold path is right conduct, which puts an onus on Buddhist adherents to refrain from harming or killing any living form. Thus, any individual who is treading the Buddhist path, a vegan diet is a must.

Read: Boost your immunity with a healthy diet, say experts

The mindful eating of Buddhist monks include green food only. Gurdev Singh, Shaolin Kung Fu disciple says, Once I asked my Shifu in Shaolin about the reason we were fed with only greens. He gave me an example of a lion who just eats flesh and an elephant who feeds on green vegetation. He said, A lion can fight for up to 3 hours continuously but gets tired soon. However, an elephant can fight continuously for 20 hours. Hence, green food has more power than flesh. Scientifically proven, a 100g non veg has less protein than 100g green food and it takes longer to digest. Thats why Buddhist people follow a green diet to keep their internal energy activated and immune system strong.

The Buddhist diet involves avoiding onions, garlic, fatty oil and poultry products. Trishant Srivastava, a a folower of Buddhism says, Its basically a kind of keto diet without any food high in calories. Some monks eat meat but only if its not sacrificed for them. In our diet plan we eat only at noon or night because earlier during the 5th century, monks or bhikshu could only go outside during that time. He adds, Another ethical teaching of Buddhism prohibits alcohol because it clouds the mind and lead you to break religious rules.

Read: Proper diet, sleep can treat asymptomatic patients

For those planning to switch to Buddhist dietary habits during lockdown, Nidhi Shukla Pandey, diet and nutrition consultant lists some benefits of it.

1. Buddhist principles believe in intermittent fasting as a practice of self-control. They abstain from food and drinks from noon until the dawn of the following day. This resembles the intermittent diet plan, which has been popular among health-conscious people. You may find fasting convenient and helpful for weight loss, if thats a goal of yours.

2. They eat their meals early which you should also try because it boosts metabolism and helps detox your body.

3. Avoiding food items like onion, chives, garlic, etc. is good because they aggravate the digestive system. It also calms the mind and body and Buddhists are strong believer of meditation.

5. They practice mindful eating which means whenever you eat you focus only on your plate because when you put your heart and soul into the food - it starts acting like a medicine. According to modern nutrition science, if you are distracted from your food, it would impact the digestive process adversely.

6. A Buddhist diet follows a primarily plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes and beans which provides important compounds, such as antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals and fibre and also benefit your waistline.

Follow HT Life&Style for more updates.

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Is the Buddhist Diet the calm we need right now? - Hindustan Times


May 16

Pitt researcher digs into coronavirus diets: What’s behind the urge to eat like little kids? – TribDem.com

Have you noticed grabbing an extra bag of chips at the supermarket? Or eating more frozen dinners than you used to? Or even eating snacks that you havent eaten since you were a little kid?

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended nearly every facet of our daily lives, from how we dress, to how we work, to how we exercise.

Its also changing the way we eat. As a registered dietitian and nutrition researcher, Im fascinated by the types of food people are buying during this strange time.

One recent survey found that 42% of respondents indicated theyre purchasing more packaged food than they typically would and less fresh food.

Sales of frozen pizza have almost doubled. Sales of frozen appetizers and snacks think Bagel Bites are up over a third, while ice cream sales have increased 36%.

According to Uber Eats, the most common food delivery order in the United States has been french fries, while the most popular beverage has been soda.

To me, these foods have one thing in common: Theyre the stuff we ate as kids.

Why might grown adults be reaching back into the pantry of their pasts? What is it about a pandemic that makes us feel like were teenagers at a sleepover?

The reasons are deeply rooted.

At its core, the purpose of food is to nourish. Of course food provides us with the necessary energy and balance of vitamins and minerals to power and fuel the body. But anyone whos reached for a pint of Ben and Jerrys after a particularly stressful day will know that nourishment is about more than nutrition.

During periods of stress, people tend to eat more and show a greater preference for higher calorie foods. The sweeter and saltier the better. Regardless of hunger, a tasty snack can feel comforting. Theres evidence to suggest that highly palatable foods, especially those high in fat and sugar, may illicit a response in the brain that is similar to the response from opioids.

Yes, a delicious slice of rich chocolate cake can be just as good as drugs.

We tend to call many of these foods comfort foods, but the definition of comfort food is a bit slippery. Food is deeply personal. The foods that comfort people depend on their cultural background, taste preference, and personal experience. We know, however, that food can induce feelings of nostalgia that transport us back to simpler times.

So perhaps its no surprise that, during a period of uncertainty that has many of us desperate for some relief and comfort, the foods of our childhood can act as a salve. For some of us, that bowl of Lucky Charms isnt just a sweet treat; its a reminder of days gone by, a time of safety and stability.

Theres nothing inherently wrong in finding temporary relief from chaos and uncertainty through food. But its probably best to view these changes in eating behavior as a temporary habit during a weird time. After all, a diet rich in macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets doesnt exactly set our bodies up for long-term success.

As peoples lives start to regain some sense of normalcy, diet can actually be a major part of the equation. Returning to a more health-conscious diet could be part of reestablishing your previous routines. And if youve never been able to find the time to prioritize healthy eating, now could actually be a good opportunity to start laying the groundwork for habits that become the new normal.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-diets-whats-behind-the-urge-to-eat-like-little-kids-137864.

We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story.

The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.

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Pitt researcher digs into coronavirus diets: What's behind the urge to eat like little kids? - TribDem.com



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