Food is thought to be the cure for everything, just think of the phrase, Ess Gezint, eat in good health. We now know that eating familiar foods can restore our sense of belonging, which can shift our emotional state from negative to positive. Meals can have sentimental value, reminding us of our childhood, when life was simpler and manageable. Unfortunately, many of the foods we seek out also have a high caloric level, we forget about Bubby’s brisket or matzo ball soup and instead seek out junk food. The media has manipulated us to subconsciously connect cravings with comfort foods, especially as we hunker down for winter. Movies go with buttered popcorn, break-ups with ice cream.

By linking our cravings to mass-produced products, we are encouraged to make unhealthy selections. Become conscious of your food selections by reading the labels and making healthier choices. If your comfort food is bread, opt for whole grains. This increases nutrition and fiber without detracting from the overall eating experience. Consider healthier brands like the Vermont Tortilla Company. They are entirely different from the mass-produced tortilla commonly found on supermarket shelves, (some are flour-based, and others contain whole grain corn, but both use preservatives). Vermont Tortilla uses stone-ground corn and is additive-free. They are certified kosher by MK.

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