Comfort Food - 6 Minute English

Summary

In this episode of 6 Minute English, hosts Neil and Rob explore the concept of 'comfort food' - snacks and meals that provide emotional solace, often linked to fond memories. They discuss why people crave these foods, referencing psychologist Shira Gabriel's perspective on how comfort foods trigger positive emotions and feelings of being cared for from our past. The show also touches on the cultural nuances of comfort food, noting that not all languages have a direct translation for the term, as illustrated by food writer Jenny Linford's Italian friends who view all food as inherently comforting. The episode concludes with a trivia question about a world record in biscuit eating and a recap of key vocabulary.

Takeaways

• 🍪 Comfort food is defined as snacks and meals that provide a sense of emotional satisfaction, even if they are not always the healthiest choices.
• 😋 The term 'edible comforters' is used to describe foods that make people feel relaxed and good, similar to the concept of comfort food.
• 🏆 Patrick Bertoletti holds the Guinness World Record for eating the most cream-filled biscuits in one minute, consuming 7 biscuits.
• 🍴 Comfort foods are often easy to prepare and do not require advanced culinary skills.
• 🧠 Psychologist Shira Gabriel suggests that comfort food is linked to memories and emotional experiences from our past, which can trigger positive feelings when consumed.
• 📚 The concept of comfort food is not universal and varies across cultures, with some languages lacking an equivalent term.
• 🇮🇹 Jenny Linford's Italian friends believe that all food inherently brings comfort and pleasure, making the notion of specific comfort foods irrelevant.
• 🥪 High in carbohydrates, sugar, or salt, comfort foods can sometimes lead to feelings of guilt, despite their emotional appeal.
• 🌐 The Food Chain podcast on BBC World Service delves deeper into the psychological aspects of comfort food and its emotional triggers.
• 📱 BBC Learning English offers more content on their website and a free app, as well as being active on social media platforms.
• 👋 The hosts of 6 Minute English, Neil and Rob, invite listeners to explore more of their programs for language learning and cultural insights.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in this episode of '6 Minute English'?

The main topic of discussion is comfort food, exploring what it is, why people eat it, and its emotional significance.

What does Rob consider as his 'edible comforter'?

Rob considers biscuits as his 'edible comforter' because they make him feel good.

What is a 'comforter' in the context of this script?

In this context, a 'comforter' is something that makes you feel relaxed and good, often referring to comfort food.

What is the purpose of the question about Patrick Bertoletti's world record?

The question about Patrick Bertoletti's world record serves as an interactive quiz for the listeners and to engage them in the topic of eating habits related to comfort food.

How many cream-filled biscuits did Patrick Bertoletti eat in one minute according to the Guinness World Record?

Patrick Bertoletti ate 7 cream-filled biscuits in one minute.

What does the term 'culinary' refer to in the script?

The term 'culinary' in the script refers to something related to cooking.

According to psychologist Shira Gabriel, what is the main reason people are drawn to comfort food?

According to Shira Gabriel, people are drawn to comfort food because of memories and emotional experiences associated with those foods.

What does the term 'associated' mean in the context of this script?

In this context, 'associated' means making a connection in one's mind between food and certain memories or emotions.

Why might people feel guilty after eating comfort food that is high in carbohydrates, sugar, or salt?

People might feel guilty because they are aware that such foods are not always healthy, but they may not realize that their minds are trying to trigger a positive emotion through the consumption of these foods.

What does food writer Jenny Linford suggest about the concept of comfort food in Italian culture?

Jenny Linford suggests that in Italian culture, the concept of comfort food is not as specific or nuanced as in other cultures, as Italians view all food as a source of comfort and pleasure.

What does the term 'nuanced' mean in the context of this script?

In this context, 'nuanced' refers to having small but important differences, indicating that the concept of comfort food can vary significantly depending on cultural perspectives.

How can the vocabulary discussed in the script help enhance the understanding of comfort food?

The vocabulary discussed, such as 'comforter', 'culinary', 'associated', 'irrelevant', 'nuanced', and 'taking comfort', provides a deeper understanding of the emotional and cultural aspects of comfort food.

Outlines

00:00

🍪 Comfort Food and Emotional Associations

The first paragraph introduces the topic of comfort food, a type of food that provides a sense of relaxation and happiness, often associated with snacks and meals that may not be the healthiest choices. The hosts, Neil and Rob, discuss the concept of 'edible comforters' and how comfort food can evoke positive feelings and memories from the past. They mention a world record held by Patrick Bertoletti for eating the most cream-filled biscuits in a minute and explore the idea that comfort food is linked to personal experiences and emotions, as explained by psychologist Shira Gabriel on The Food Chain podcast. Gabriel's comfort food, macaroni and cheese, is connected to feelings of being cared for and loved in her youth. The paragraph concludes by suggesting that the act of eating comfort food can trigger positive emotions due to these strong emotional and memory associations.

05:02

📚 Understanding Comfort Food's Cultural Nuances

The second paragraph serves as a recap and vocabulary lesson for the concepts discussed in the first paragraph. It reiterates the idea of comfort food as a 'comforter' that brings relaxation and happiness. The paragraph also reviews the term 'culinary,' which is related to cooking, and 'associated,' which means making a mental connection with something. It explains that something 'irrelevant' is not important or connected to the discussion at hand, while 'nuanced' indicates small but significant differences. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the idea that all food can bring comfort and pleasure, as suggested by Jenny Linford's Italian friends, and that the concept of comfort food is not universal but varies depending on cultural perspectives. The hosts remind listeners of the availability of more 6 Minute English programs on their website and app, and invite engagement on social media, before signing off.

Keywords

💡Comfort Food

Comfort food refers to a type of food that provides a sense of solace or pleasure, often associated with positive memories or emotions. In the video, it is discussed as a central theme, highlighting how certain foods can evoke feelings of comfort and nostalgia. Examples given include biscuits, ice cream, crisps, and pizzas, which are easy to snack on and don't require much culinary skill.

💡Edible Comforters

The term 'edible comforters' is used to describe foods that provide a sense of comfort or relaxation. It is similar to 'comfort food' and is used in the script to emphasize the emotional connection people have with certain foods. The phrase is introduced in the context of discussing biscuits as a quick and easy sweet treat that makes Rob feel good.

💡Culinary

Culinary is an adjective that relates to cooking or the art of preparing food. In the video, it is used to describe the ease with which comfort foods can be prepared, suggesting that they do not require advanced cooking skills. This is mentioned in contrast to the idea that comfort foods are often simple and accessible.

💡Guinness World Record

The Guinness World Record is a reference to the authoritative record book that lists the extremes and records of various human achievements. In the script, it is mentioned in relation to Patrick Bertoletti, who holds the record for eating the most cream-filled biscuits in one minute. This serves as a trivia question and a way to engage the audience.

💡Memories

Memories are the mental images or ideas that a person has of past events or experiences. In the video, memories are linked to comfort food, suggesting that the act of eating certain foods can trigger positive memories from one's past. Shira Gabriel, a psychologist, explains that her comfort food, macaroni and cheese, is associated with feelings of being taken care of in her youth.

💡Emotional Experiences

Emotional experiences are the feelings or sensations that a person has in response to certain events or situations. The video discusses how comfort food is not just about taste but also about the emotions it evokes. Eating comfort food can reactivate positive emotions from past experiences, providing a sense of happiness or comfort.

💡Associations

Associations refer to the mental connections that people make between different ideas, objects, or experiences. In the context of the video, associations are made between certain foods and positive feelings or memories. Shira Gabriel explains that her association with macaroni and cheese is strong, linking it to feelings of care and love from her past.

💡Rush

A rush is a sudden and strong emotion or feeling. In the video, the term is used to describe the sudden surge of positive feelings that can be experienced when eating comfort food. This is linked to the activation of memories and emotions associated with the food.

💡High in Carbohydrates, Sugar, or Salt

This phrase describes foods that are rich in certain nutrients that can have an impact on mood and cravings. In the video, it is mentioned that despite the potential guilt associated with eating such foods, they can trigger a desire to eat them due to their ability to activate positive emotions. This highlights the complex relationship between food and emotional states.

💡Irrelevant

Irrelevant means not important or having no connection with the matter at hand. In the script, the term is used to describe the idea that talking about specific comforting foods is not important in some cultures, such as in Italy, where all food is considered a source of comfort and pleasure.

💡Nuanced

Nuanced refers to something that has subtle differences or complexities. In the video, the term is used to describe the concept of comfort food, suggesting that it varies depending on cultural context and personal experiences. Jenny Linford's theory highlights that the idea of comfort food is not universal but rather has small but significant differences based on where one is from.

Highlights

The concept of 'comfort food' is explored in this episode of 6 Minute English.

Comfort food is defined as snacks and meals that people enjoy even if they're not always healthy.

Psychologist Shira Gabriel suggests that comfort food is linked to memories and emotional experiences.

Eating comfort food can trigger positive emotions and a sense of acceptance due to past experiences.

Patrick Bertoletti holds the Guinness World Record for eating the most cream-filled biscuits in one minute.

Bertoletti ate 7 cream-filled biscuits in one minute, contrary to Rob's guess of 15.

Comfort food is not universal, as some cultures do not have a comparable phrase.

Food writer Jenny Linford's Italian friends consider all food as a source of comfort and pleasure.

The idea of comfort food being specific is considered irrelevant in some cultures.

Eating high in carbohydrates, sugar, or salt can make people feel guilty, yet it's an attempt to trigger positive emotions.

The associations between food and memories are very strong and can influence eating habits.

The Food Chain podcast delves deeper into the psychological aspects of comfort food.

The concept of comfort food varies and is quite nuanced, depending on cultural backgrounds.

Eating any kind of food can bring joy, warmth, happiness, and comfort, as per Jenny Linford's theory.

6 Minute English is available on the BBC Learning English website and as a free app.

The vocabulary discussed includes 'comfort food', 'culinary', 'associated', 'irrelevant', 'nuanced', and 'take comfort in'.

Transcripts

Hello. This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I’m Neil.

And I’m Rob.

I see you’ve been tucking into the biscuits again, Rob.

Well, I have, Neil.

You can’t beat a bite on a biscuit for a quick and easy sweet treat.

They make me feel good – as long as I don’t eat too many!

So, these are your ‘edible comforters’ – a comforter is something that makes you feel

relaxed and feel good.

Put another way, it is your comfort food,

which is what we’re talking about in this programme.

Yes, like biscuits – comfort food is snacks and meals

we like to stuff our faces with, even if it’s not always good for us.

We’ll be discussing what actually makes us eat the stuff.

But how about a question to feast on, Rob?

Patrick Bertoletti from the USA holds the Guinness World Record

for eating the most cream-filled biscuits in one minute,

but do you know how many biscuits he ate?

Was it… a) 2,

b) 7,

or c) 15?

Well, based on my biscuit-eating skills, I’d say 15 –

it depends if he had to swallow them all as well.

I’m not sure about that – but I’ll reveal the answer later on.

Now, biscuits, ice cream, crisps and pizzas

are all good examples of comfort food.

They’re easy to snack on and they don’t require many culinary skills –

culinary means related to cooking.

Umm, well that makes sense, but there must be something else

that is urging us to seek out this ‘easy’ food?

According to psychologist Shira Gabriel, it’s about memories

and emotional experiences.

She spoke on The Food Chain podcast on BBC World Service

and said her comfort food was macaroni and cheese –

something that brings back memories…

At some point in my life those were foods that were made

for me or shared with me by people who cared about me and loved me

and took care of me, so because those are the foods

that I had in my youth, I’ve associated with them, sort of,

those feelings of being taken care of.

And those associations are strong, the associations we have with

food are very strong, and so by eating those foods, I’m able

to activate those associations and give myself a rush of

positive feelings and a sense of acceptance.

… so like so many of us, Shira associates eating certain types of food

with past experiences from her youth.

Associates means makes a connection in your mind with something.

And these connections between food and memories are very strong.

I know eating biscuits reminds me of eating them after school, as a treat.

Well, Shira explains how we get a rush – a sudden and strong emotion –

of positive feelings when these memories are activated

by eating comfort food.

And it’s not just memories that are activated,

but also the emotions we feel as well.

If we felt happy the first time we ate the food,

then hopefully we’ll feel happy when we eat it again.

It’s not always that simple, Rob.

Tucking into food that’s high in carbohydrates, sugar or salt

can make us feel guilty, but we don’t realise our minds are trying to trigger – or start -

a positive emotion, and it’s making us eat that food to do so.

The Food Chain podcast explores this in more detail –

but what is interesting is that comfort food isn’t universal.

Some languages don’t have a comparable phrase.

It’s a good point and something food writer Jenny Linford talked about.

Here’s her theory on why that is…

Talking to Italian friends, I realised that, no, they don’t have a

phrase for ‘comfort food’ – I think it’s sort of irrelevant….

My Italian friends I asked about comfort food, they were just, they said to me,

look you know, food is always comfort and always pleasure

and it’s a joyful thing, so it’s just really interesting that you know

this idea of comfort food is not universal, it’s actually quite nuanced.

So, according to Jenny’s Italian friends, all food brings comfort

and pleasure.

Talking about specific comforting food is irrelevant –

it is not important or has no connection with the discussion.

Yes, she thinks the concept of comfort food is quite nuanced,

depending on where you are from – so there are small

but important differences.

Well, maybe we should take comfort from - or feel less bad about –

the fact that eating any kind of food can bring us joy,

warmth, happiness and comfort.

So if you don’t mind, I think I’ll munch on another biscuit.

Are you trying to beat the record of Patrick Bertoletti from the USA?

Earlier I mentioned he holds the Guinness World Record for

eating the most cream-filled biscuits in one minute,

but how many biscuits did he eat?

Was it… a) 2,

b) 7,

or c) 15?

I thought he ate 15. Was I right?

No, Rob. He scoffed only 7 in one minute.

So maybe you can beat him?

But before you do, let’s recap on some of the vocabulary

we’ve been discussing.

Of course. We’ve been talking about comfort food –

food that makes us feel good – and we described it as a ‘comforter’ -

something that makes us feel relaxed and feel good.

We also mentioned culinary – connected to cooking.

And associated – which means made a connection in our mind with something.

Something that is irrelevant is not important or has no connection

with the discussion taking place.

And something that is nuanced has small but important differences.

Finally, when you take comfort in something, you don’t feel so bad

because of something else.

Well, Neil, we’re out of time but let’s take comfort

in knowing that there are lots more 6 Minute English

programmes to enjoy on our website at bbclearningenglish.com.

We also have an app that you can download for free from the app stores.

And of course, we are all over social media.

Thanks for listening and goodbye.

Goodbye.