Sunita Williams, the Indian-American NASA astronaut who recently returned to Earth after a prolonged nine month stay in space along with Butch Wilmore, revealed what she ate just after returning to the Earth. Expressing gratitude to NASA, Boeing, and Elon-Musk-owned SpaceX, Williams shared in the first press conference since her arrival, "I've been feeling good since we've been back, almost two weeks now. (I) actually went out and ran three miles yesterday, so I’ll give myself a pat on the back." She added that their trainers are "rocking it and getting us ready to get back to help out astronauts getting ready for their mission". Opening up about her food cravings, Williams said: "Food, that is home. something that reminds me of home. my father was a vegetarian, so I had a good grilled cheese sandwich when I got home. It reminded me of him." She added that one "feels pretty nauseous when you first come back". "Your nervous system is still reeling in the first 24-48 hours. But having gone up twice before, I knew I had to push through all of it. Take a shower, make yourself walk down a line to train those smaller muscles," said Williams. Taking a cue from her revelation, let's understand the science behind comfort foods. Dt. Vaishali Verma, consultant, nutrition and dietetics, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, noted that the importance of home food goes beyond just taste. "It's about our emotional connection with certain dishes," said Verma. Particularly during stressful or challenging times, the familiar flavours and textures can trigger positive memories and feelings of nostalgia, creating a comforting emotional experience. "Such foods can connect to our cultural background or family traditions," shared Verma. Like the grilled cheese sandwich reminded her of her father, home meals trigger happy memories or positive emotions, Verma shared. "It provides comfort because it caters to cravings one has had after a long time. This creates a unique sensory experience you will find comforting. This can be a powerful mood elevator," said Verma. What more? Comfort food triggers the release of dopamine, a brain chemical linked to reward and pleasure. "Simply thinking about your favourite dish can kickstart this dopamine release," said Verma, adding that some foods might also influence serotonin levels, another neurotransmitter associated with feelings of well-being and relaxation. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
