Food Politics

my theory is that foods such as those are comfort foods for us, and when we are sick, we seek the fatty/salty/sweet comfort of them. it’s the same reason we eat ice cream or chocolate when depressed instead of an apple or carrot sticks.

Thanks for the posting, Dr. Nestle! It’s very sweet — as sweet as all the beverages I’ve selected this week. At least I’m drinking my liquids. Ah’Choo!

[...] Here is an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptShari would like an answer to her question: “Why is it that when a person doesn’t feel well, she tends to eat less healthy foods, such as those with more fats and carbs? The last few days, I have been fighting a nasty flu-like bug. … [...]

[...] Marion added an interesting post today on Question: Do people eat worse diets when sick?.Here’s a small reading:Shari would like an answer to her question: “Why is it that when a person doesn’t feel well, she tends to eat less healthy foods, such as those with more fats and carbs? The last few days, I have been fighting a nasty flu-like bug. … [...]

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Maybe it’s a difference between hunger and appetite?

I suspect it’s because fighting off infectious disease increases your energy requirements, so you crave nutrient-dense foods.

Dr. Nestle and other experts:

Interesting:

When I first wasn’t feeling well, all I wanted to eat, when I wasn’t sleeping, was carbs. Bread, dry cereal, pizza, coca-cola. As I started to feel a little better, the next thing I felt like eating was protein: the bits of chicken in the soup, hot dogs. Then, I started adding a bit of fresh fruit – cut pineapple. Veggies were the last thing that came to my interest.

Any clues?

I think it’s the salt.

I tend to eat more when I’m not feeling well, too – including higher doses of protein & fat. Of course, I’m fighting off illness & I’ve usually expelled a lot of food, so I don’t usually worry about it. I just eat whole foods. I’ve also noticed that I eat a lot of greens (to make up for vitamin loss?), so I don’t think this is just junk-food cravings. It’s probably hunger.