There are people out there who are grown adults – well into their 40’s and above, some of whom can never stop eating chocolate cookies. But why is it that it’s so difficult to cap it at just one? What exactly makes chocolate chip cookies so universally craved in the first place?
Chocolate Cookies Are Nostalgic
Perhaps this doesn’t apply to everyone, but I think there’s definitely an emotional attachment to chocolate cookies. Most of us all have some memories of our grandparents, mothers, friends’ houses, and family get-togethers where we indulged in these tasty treats.
For many, it was a special time for us to bond with our family and friends and usually involved us learning how to make our very first cookie dough. Therefore, despite them being scrumptious, there’s a massive emotional attachment and memory with the chocolate chip cookie. And even though the world is switching to fitness and health, there will always be that innate connection.
As a result, these emotions can be triggered whilst eating the cookies. Personally, I feel that this also has something to do with binge eating and why people eat a more certain thing based on their feelings. For example, you might be celebrating something, so you’ll have 3 cookies, but, if you’re feeling really down you’d rather opt for the lot.
That’s because when you’ve got the chocolate cookie in your mouth, for a few moments, there is pure happiness! Then, suddenly, that happiness disappears when the cookie travels down your throat. This prompts you to grab for another. I think this can be a good and a bad thing. There’s nothing wrong with treating oneself and sharing pure joy with others at times. However, there has to be a limit.
The point is that chocolate chip cookies always seem to make people happier in general.
It’s What’s Inside The Cookies
I think we can all agree that there is definitely an emotional connection to cookies for most of us. However, there may be a bit of science to back up their irresistible qualities. According to
research, ingredients in chocolate chip cookies may have addictive properties.
For example, sugar has been proven to induce rewards and cravings in humans. Many of these cravings are very similar to the ones caused by addictive drugs, like cocaine.
A traditional chocolate chip cookie recipe generally consists of a ¾ cup of granulated sugar and ¾ cup of brown sugar. This means that just one cookie consists of 10 grams, or 2.5 teaspoons, of sugar.
Then the other key ingredient is, of course, chocolate. This contains small amounts of a compound called anandamide. Interestingly, anandamide is also a brain chemical that targets the same cell receptors as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). It is the active ingredient in marijuana is responsible for its mood-altering effects.
By no means does chocolate create the same high as marijuana. However, there is most likely a chemical basis for the satisfaction we get after consuming chocolate. Experts believe that the high-fat, sugar-rich contents of chocolate cookies can raise levels of anandamide in your brain despite the other ingredients in the cookie. This is because it’s our body’s natural response to eating such a tasty item.
Therefore, both the fat and the sugar combine to induce our addiction as much as does the anandamide. So, it really is quite an indulgent experience!
The Texture And Flavor Are Culprits
Science and facts might be explanation enough. But you cannot deny the irresistible texture of cookie dough itself. The ingredients are combined perfectly and tickle your senses in every way possible.
Not only the smooth and morish texture but the smell too. Chocolate cookies have a very inviting scent and consist of the ideal balance of salty and sweet. Interestingly, baking professionals admit to creating and experimenting with cookie dough textures specifically designed to get people addicted to them based on their mouthfeel. Nobody thinks twice about the salt content in a cookie either, but believe it or not, it’s quite high. Without the salt, the cookie tastes a lot duller.
All the secrets include using butter, brown sugar, and lots of vanilla extract and sweeteners. These combined ingredients create a smooth texture that many people cannot resist. The best way to test whether a cookie has an ‘addictive’ quality is to look at how people behave when eating them.
Beware of bakeries and people who enjoy baking these kinds of things because you’re more than likely a test lab rat. They want to see if their recipe is a success or not based on how much you end up eating in one sitting. The recipe should be so irresistible that it seems impossible not to grab another.
So, there you have it! Chocolate cookies are designed to get you hooked.
Instantaneous Pure Happiness
Whatever the cause, I think we’ve established that chocolate cookies are really addictive! However, it’s not all bad. There are plenty of healthy alternative recipes that are sugar-free or gluten-free. More importantly, there is a place for chocolate cookies in a balanced diet.
All you need to do is be mindful of your portions and not eat the entire tray at once
The purpose of this article has not been to tell you about your cookie addiction. Its goal is to teach you to stop thinking about food as good or bad. Because it’s all good for you. What matters more is the amount you eat.
So, if you’re craving a childhood chocolate cookie filled with happiness, then have it! Your overall diet is not ruined. Just bear in mind the addictive nature of cookies and remember to cap them according to your energy needs.
