Winter and comfort food: Why to we crave warming comfort dishes
As the temperature drops, you might find yourself yearning for those rich, traditional dishes and, of course, indulgent sweets and desserts. Winter and comfort food go hand in hand in the Northern Hemisphere when the days grow colder and shorter.
Indulgent, steaming dishes become a way to warm the body and feels like a hug in a bowl. Yet, the reasons behind our winter craving may be more complex, deeply rooted in our biology.
Comfort eating – Why do we do it?
Colder weather and less daylight can increase your appetite, making you feel hungrier than usual. It's not just in your head—theories suggests that temperature shifts can influence your hormones, affecting your appetite and even how your body handles stress. This can make you crave different kinds of food.
There is a quiet connection between warmth and the easing of loneliness. With the dropping temperatures, feelings of isolation can become more pronounced, making comfort foods often provide a way to ease that loneliness.
While our modern lives no longer demand that we bulk up for survival, there’s still a lingering instinct that encourages us to reach for those rich, satisfying dishes for more insulation against the cold. It's a small nod to our ancestors that still exists in our DNA.
Moreover, in winter, our bodies might produce less serotonin, that gentle mood-lifting hormone, contributing to the onset of seasonal depression. Since carbohydrates help boost serotonin, it’s no surprise that many find themselves reaching for carb-rich comfort foods during these colder months. Yet, while sugary and fatty treats may offer a fleeting sense of joy, they can leave you feeling weary and drained in the long run.
Winter cravings with nourishing marine collagen
Self-medicating with comfort food is natural and common during the colder months, but there are ways to satisfy those cravings while nurturing your body and wellness at the same time. Adding Vild Nord marine collagen and more complex carbohydrates from vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, fruits and nuts, can be a gentle and wholesome way to stay balanced.
Heat restistand marine collagen for warm nourishing comfort food
Our variant Pure Marine Collagen is heat resistant and can easily be incorporated in your comfort dishes, boosting overall protein content without you having to change that warming and familiar dish you long for during the colder months.
Hvorfor komfortmad med marine collagen?
Many comfort foods also contain beneficial nutrients. Being aware of ingredients and lack of nutrients is one way to turn your comfort healthy.
The beauty of marine collagen from Vild Nord is that it is a natural source of protein. Our marine collagen is sustainably caught and bears the MSC-certication, harvested from the skin of wild caught cod off the Norwegian coast. As well as being a healthy addition to a meal, the peace of mind you get knowing that what you are putting into your body is of the highest quality may give you extra comfort.
Vild Nord recipes
Imagine craving a sweet cake, but instead you opt for a simple and healthy banana bread. Our banana bread recipe could be the perfect choice for a cosy eventing in. Adding Pure Marine Collagen to your favourite baked good is also a great way to give them an extra protein boost.
For your sweet tooth, explore healthier versions of your favorite treats with added collagen. Maybe a rich dark chocolate cake hits the spot, or perhaps you crave the comforting and familiar spices of a carrot cake. And if a steaming cup of hot chocolate is what you’re after, try making a hot chocolate with the nourishing raw cacao and collagen—perfect for wrapping your hands around on a frosty evening. We have more recipes to help you indulge in a way that still feels kind to your inner health.
(see more recipes here)
Comfort food and balance
Let’s welcome this enchanting season with open arms. Wrap yourself in your favorite woolen jumper and curl up by the fire. Enjoying your favorite comfort foods doesn’t mean letting go of your healthy habits—it's all about balance. Listen to what your body and make a few smart swaps when you can. Let go of any guilt around food and honor the cravings that come so naturally during this time of year. After all, taking care of yourself and your inner beauty is the kindest thing you can do to yourself this winter.
