Why Elvis ate his emotions: Scientists investigate the neurological reasons behind the King's attachment to peanut butter, bacon and fried banana
Why Elvis ate his emotions: Scientists investigate the neurological reasons behind the King's attachment to peanut butter, bacon and fried banana
Research shows some are more susceptible than others to overeating high-fat, high-sugar foods
This could be down to genes, neurological reasons, and physiological reasons
Today, more than a third of Americans indulge in comfort food as Elvis did
The King designed his own peanut butter, bacon and banana sandwich called Fool's Gold, and was known to eat 15 in one sitting
On the 40th anniversary of his death, Colorado State University food scientist Melissa Wdowik explores what drove Elvis's obsession
August 16 is known to many Elvis Presley fans as the anniversary of his untimely death at the age of 42 in 1977.
It is also the perfect occasion, for many, to honor him by indulging in his favorite foods, including fried banana and peanut butter sandwiches (with or without bacon), fried biscuits, bacon-wrapped meatballs, chicken fried steak, jelly doughnuts and vegetables saturated with butter and salt.
While it may be OK to indulge in these foods occasionally, it is not healthy to make a regular diet of them.
What was it about these foods that appealed to Elvis? He could have afforded spa cuisine and high-end restaurants, but he maintained his love of southern-style comfort food, always in large portions, even when his weight crept up and his health went down.
As a food researcher and registered dietitian for more than 20 years, I have studied some of the reasons we turn to comfort food – and also how eating to feed our emotions can sometimes get out of hand.
Elvis was a known comfort eater, and many say his dietary habits contributed to his death
The King's sandwich: Elvis was partial to his own style of a sweet PB sandwich: peanut butter, bacon and banana, dubbed the 'Fool's Gold'. He was known to eat 15 in one sitting
Why do we eat comfort food? Reason 1: We like it
There are many theories as to why we choose food we know is not good for us, not least of which is that it tastes good.
Other ideas range from social norms, environment and memories to emotions, genetics and the microbiome; the nature versus nurture debate is alive and well for eating habits.
Social norms, or acceptable rules of behavior, affect both food choice and amounts eaten. If we are surrounded by others who eat, prepare and condone unhealthy foods, we are more likely to consume them.
Additionally, food preparation methods are influenced by culturally acceptable traditions, such as cooking greens with pork fat, as is common in the South.
Presley was raised in a poor household, where it is rumored that dinners sometimes included squirrel meat, but his mother was an excellent cook. He spoke fondly of her specialties, such as fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn bread and gravy.
These foods probably later reminded him of both his family and simpler times. It is easy to see the appeal of eating foods from our childhood; reminiscences of family outings, holidays and sporting events often lead to conversations of the foods that were eaten there.
Even the smell of those foods can bring back happy memories. There is something to be said for food that is good for our soul.
Presley’s long-time cook, Mary Jenkins Langston, reported that Elvis said the only thing in life he got any enjoyment out of was eating. She obliged with the down-home cooking he loved, and he is said to have gone to extremes to satisfy additional cravings, such as his cross-country flight to a Denver restaurant.
More than one in three turn to food for comfort
Elvis was not alone in finding comfort in food. Thirty-eight percent of adults report overeating or eating unhealthy foods due to stress, with almost half doing so at least weekly.
This behavior serves as a distraction or even a way to numb feelings of sadness or depression. Emotional eating, as this is called, may arise from an inability to manage emotions in other ways. It is self-perpetuating, as the eating behavior in turn increases cravings and intake .
As a dietitian and nutrition educator, I am the first to declare there are no bad foods, only bad amounts.
When choosing to comfort ourselves with, well, comfort food, I recommend trying a small portion and eating it slowly; we will likely enjoy it just as much as a large portion if we are truly mindful about enjoying it.
Follow this with distracting ourselves with a walk or other activity, and we can avoid the neurological and hormonal adaptations that encourage a continuation of emotional eating.
Short of saying that food is addictive, I would say that research has shown that some individuals are more susceptible than others to the habit-forming behavior of overeating high-fat, high-sugar foods.
Colorado State University food scientist Melissa Wdowik says it is heartbreaking to think that a man who brought so much joy to so many people relied heavily on food for comfort
Those neurological and hormonal adaptations are also influenced by genes. Leptin and ghrelin are digestive neuroendocrine hormones known to regulate hunger and fullness.
Current research focusing on their genetic variants and determinants will help us understand eating behavior, but most nutrition experts agree that genetic susceptibility can be overpowered by intentional healthy eating efforts.
The role of nature can be explored further in examining the microbiome, which refers to the bacteria, good and bad, found in the gut.
Research suggests lower diversity in gut microbiome is associated with more unhealthy eating behavior, and there is evidence that gut bacteria affect how we respond to hormones that make us feel hungry or full.
What causes a low diversity of gut bacteria? A diet high in fat and processed foods and a low intake of fiber, fruits and vegetables. Increased good bacteria can be achieved with more fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, fermented foods and probiotic sources such as yogurt and kefir.
Were Elvis’ eating habits due to nature or nurture? We will never know. Also, we will never know the extent of his loneliness and whether his sense of isolation was fed, in part, by his fame.
Yet I think we can all agree that it is heartbreaking to think that a man who brought so much joy to so many people relied heavily on food for comfort.
While the foods of our youth retain a hold on all of us, and biology influences our genes and gut, a combination of factors was likely at play in Elvis’ yearning for food.
The lesson learned may be for each of us to figure out a way to balance these influences, and to do what’s best for both our body and soul.
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Today is the 40th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death. I guess not too many 'young' people remember him.
I saw Elvis in Las Vegas in his ''comeback''...What a hell of a performence. I saw him again years later and the difference was stunning. He looked like he was 100 lbs heavier...Sad.
The one thing that never changed was his voice..Great till the end.
tragic figure.
i think he had a lot of fun in his life though.
This is the performance that I saw. 1968 Las Vegas...Great show.
You were at that? wow. I remember that on tv.
Yes I was at it....My uncle was a big wig in LV.
Sorry about the double post and all the script below the video. Can't get it out.
This is the performance that I saw. 1968 Las Vegas...Great show.
Who said Elvis was dead? He's alive and living in a town in Northern Ontario.
Maybe I should be worried. I love peanut butter and banana sandwiches on white bread. (They're even better on raisin egg bread).
I was in Mexico City when he died. Remember the headlines as we sat having breakfast.
He was wonderful, but like so many of our ultra stars they are called upon to perform even though they may be done that day. Hence, the drugs, etc. They can stop anytime they want to, but they are driven.
I, also, remember his appearance on the Ed Sullivan show when they didn't show his lower torso. He was the man......totally awesome.
I loved Elvis' songs and music. He was a lonely, tortured man, to me, who lived his life surrounded by people, but basically alone. Such a shame! Poor man!
I think the spoken part in this song shows Elvis could have been a good actor with a little more direction.