Whenever we find ourselves, tired, lonely, stressed, anxious or bored, most of us crave the good feelings of a cozy fireside, a great childhood memory, or a sense of satisfaction.

And, what can create those good feelings when we can’t have the external pleasures? FOOD!

Simple hearty food is what we fondly call “comfort food’. But is food necessary to feel good? Does our mind need the food to feel, happy or comfortable?

Not really, and, we can be satisfied without high calorie, high fat food too.

The non-food answers to those needs can be exercise, yoga, meditation and a warm bath, can be non food answers. You also need to separate real hunger from appetite or just the desire to eat.

If you are losing weight not eating comfort foods is the key. You derive your comfort from the food you don’t eat.

The first “red light” is any food that is “hearty and sticks to your ribs” or fat laden and fills your very soul. It is usually means some kind of meat, usually red meat. Most often, with a sauce, or gravy, never on the side. If there are any vegetables on the plate, they are never green! Fried potatoes, pork and beans, and macaroni and cheese are great examples of the artery clogging comfort foods. And of course, let’s not leave out two favorites, ice cream and pizza.

At meal times the following choices are examples, that should be avoided:

• At breakfast, pancakes with a side of bacon or sausage.
• At lunch time, a hot open faced turkey sandwich, with gravy and dressing.
• At dinner, a nice juicy marbled steak with a loaded baked potato.

Most of the comfort foods have lower fat and lower calorie versions, but we would all be a lot healthier if we satisfied our need for comfort mentally instead of physically.