For an overwhelming segment of the population, the trauma of a breakup creates a beeline for so-called comfort foods: tubs of ice cream, pizza, cake or other sugary, processed foods. Just ask the makers of Mexican ice cream brand, Elena’s Halados who have capitalized on heart break cravings with their special edition product, “'Adios Amor Adios”' that features flavors such as Denial, Anger, Sadness, Acceptance and Hope.
But according to Ashley Gearhardt, a researcher at University of Michigan’s Food Addiction Science and Treatment Lab, the reward mechanism that is triggered in the brain by high calorie foods during a period of stress or anxiety is short lived, and can give way to negative emotions such as depression, fatigue, regret and anger. A 2019 analysis of 15 studies across more than 45,000 participants, confirms that diet is correlated with feelings of well-being and that consumption of healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits is associated with the most profound psychological benefits following stressful periods, such as a breakup.
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It is no wonder then, that burgers and candy rank as the number one breakup foods among Americans, according to a 2023 survey conducted by USA RX. Another survey conducted by OnePoll research and Yelp Eat 24 in 2017 found that two-thirds of people have “go-to” comfort foods, with ice cream, pizza, fried foods and cake topping the list.
