Food adventure or why is trying new foods makes us happier

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Trying new things could be very scary. And very rewarding. So why is trying new foods makes us happier? Lets get to it!

🧩 Better mood. Your excitement might be bigger when you try things you were afraid of 😉

🧩 Discovering favourite food. How do you know what is your favourite unless you have tried as much as possible of available options? 🥗

🧩 Using the most creative way of adding more nutrients to your diet. People who are open to eating different kinds of food, usually have diets that are richer in nutrients 😌

🧩 Experiencing richness of various cuisines all over the world 🌍 Each culture is a result of centuries of experimenting and innovations. How could you say “no” to this?!

🧩 Bringing people together. Food helps us meet new people. Imagine how cool it would be to bound over delicious food you try! 💜

What makes food memories so powerful (and how to use it to battle mental illness)

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I was six and we just moved to another city. Lost in my own world, terrified of everything, I looked for comfort, for my good place…

At the same time, my mom started a new job for a nature conservancy-oriented organisation for talented kids. Yup, sounds complicated but that was my safe place. Anyway, once a year, just before Christmas, they used to organise a charity fair. I was selling my handmade toys there and it felt so good. To give me more stuff to sell, my mom made pastries. And not just any pastries, but little perfect kinda croissants, with bun-like dough, cherry filling and powdered sugar on top 🥐🍒

Mom has made cherry “croissants” for the fair for the next 10 years. Still, I will always remember the very first ones. I think that is my taste of home, I’ve been seeking everywhere ever since…🥺

Some foods may bring back the very special memories hidden deep inside of our mind. What's more, those memories are basic and very strong. They live within that parts of our subconscious which makes us us. For me, trying that “croissants” isn't just eating, it is the whole life I want back. Emotions, it evokes, are strong enough to make me feel better, even at my worst.

So what are they - your “happy food memories”? Try and bring back a comfort food into your life ❤️ You can make it a bit healthier or just enjoy it the way it had always been. Because if you could manage just one more step away from the dark place, does it really matter that you had a croissant for lunch? 😌

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder - not a picky eater

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ARFID is a little-known eating disorder. But unlike anorexia or bulimia, people with this condition aren't trying to control their weight. Individuals who experience avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder share a fear of certain foods as well as limited eating behaviour. Usually someone with ARFID has a list of “safe” foods and tend to avoid “unsafe” foods because of their sight, smell or taste.

Of course, if the “safe food list” is short, there might be serious issues with not eating enough calories, protein, vitamins or minerals. In this case, what we need to do is to expand the list, step by step. Mixing a new food with a favourite one can help. You might also explore how certain “less unsafe” foods make you feel or experiment with textures of the same product.