Nostalgic Foods

Have you ever thought about what makes our favorite foods our favorite? I believe a factor in determining our favorite foods are the memories we attach to them. I think nostalgia influences us in what foods are our favorite. We all have fond childhood memories of eating our favorite snacks. I remember loving foods like Pogos, Kraft Dinner, Pizza Pockets and Lucky Charms. I know I’m not alone in indulging in these snacks! Even today, I continue to carry a soft spot for these foods – there's nothing special about it except I used to enjoy them as a kid.

Sometimes certain foods can leave specific memories and impact our taste for them. There's a particular food I discovered at a young age that has always given me fond memories. I used to enjoy receiving poutine as a treat, and still do. My family is French and for a time I lived in Montreal. I remember first having poutine there with a friend and I fell in love with all its cheesy goodness. It reminds me of my French background and is something that always reminds me fondly of Quebec. Memories of foods shape the way we perceive and think of them.

I think our favorite foods are more about the memories we associate them with. The experience of eating is more impactful to how you feel about the food. For example, the atmosphere greatly influences the memories we associate with our food. Atmosphere is used to create experience and memories. That is why food tastes better at a restaurant, because they make it an experience. This associates memories with the food and it's the overall memory that leaves you nostalgic.

Nostalgic foods give you a sense of comfort. They give you a warm fuzzy feeling and make you feel like you're reliving your childhood. They can bring back memories and leave you feeling content. People buy these foods to make them feel a certain way. Nostalgia influences the foods people buy. When I started grocery shopping for myself, the first thing I wanted to buy was all my comfort foods. It was the first time living on my own and they made me feel warm inside and reassured. 

I also think the smell of foods can also leave us very nostalgic. I know when I smell a McDonald’s it brings me back to my childhood. All you need is the smell of these foods and you're left with all the nostalgia and wanting more. Scent is a part of the experience of food and helps create memory of these foods and how they make you feel. Smells of food are everywhere and constantly giving you nostalgia. In combination with the food a nostalgic experience is created.

We center our food on sharing and creating memories. When we get together with people it often involves  food. Holidays are all about the food and the memories that are created by sharing food. Nostalgia and food go hand in hand. Whether it's the specific memories and feelings they bring up or the people we share it with, food creates memories. 

What memories do certain foods bring up for you? What foods make you nostalgic? How do they make you feel? Leave a comment below!