Kitchen smells spark sweet memories
- col-bobbie-randall
- February 3, 2023
- 586
Think of the aroma of popcorn, cinnamon rolls, fried chicken, garlic bread and chili. These foods all have at least one thing in common: They emit smells that remind people of delightful experiences. It is hard to walk into a home that has a roast in the oven and not think of Sunday dinners with loved ones.
The olfactory nerve is responsible for the sense of smell. It is in close proximity to the area of the brain that is connected to emotional memory. The ability to smell is highly linked to remembrances. Medical research has proven that when certain areas of the brain connected to memory are damaged, the ability to identify smell is affected too.
The sense of smell is the most powerful prompt in our brains. Often food cravings occur because of a smell, and this triggers a pleasant memory. We form powerful emotional attachments to smells, especially from childhood.
Memories of cinnamon, garlic, popcorn and cookies baking in the oven follow us into adulthood. High fat, high salt and high sugary foods and their aromas entice people to eat and then eat some more. Movie theaters actually have fans that blow the fragrance of popcorn to the olfactory nerves of their patrons. Then they charge 10 times the actual cost of the popcorn because they know you are hooked.
The combination of salty, fatty and sugary smells creates the perfect storm to attack the taste buds into wanting to eat. Fancy coffee drinks with sweet syrups and piles of whipped cream can have as many calories as an entire meal. Topping a 600-calorie drink with a supersized muffin can destroy the good intentions of many a healthy meal plan.
Many people are still following controlled healthy eating resolutions from Jan. 1. If your nose is one of your downfalls, you do not have to cut it off or maintain a sinus blockage until you lose 20 pounds.
Instead, fill your olfactory nerves with nonfood aromas. Flowers and spice scents do not necessarily remind us of food. Do not burn candles with names like pumpkin pie or sugar cookies. Stick to candle fragrances called fresh linen or seashells or spring garden.
Find the special colognes or sprays you have been saving for special occasions and fill the air with a bouquet of memories instead of stuffing your mouth full of vanilla wafers. At mealtime light a lavender candle and allow it to distract your brain away from second helpings.
Stay away from the food courts and keep your car windows shut when passing restaurants. Smelling food can entice some people to consume more than a child following Willy Wonka through his factory. Distract your food smeller or discipline your brain to just say “no,” so you can control what gets through your lips and swallowed.
The aromatic kitchen memories from childhood should be cherished, not exploited. Distract your olfactory nerve with a fragrance of a coming spring. Pleasant smells can control weight.
Bobbie Randall is a certified diabetes care and education specialist and registered, licensed dietitian. Email her at bobbierandallrd@gmail.com.