Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
A psychotherapist has shared the surprising reason behind your October food cravings. According to the food psychology expert, it's connected to memory and emotion more than you might realise.
As the temperature plummets and darkness falls earlier, many of us notice a change in what we want to eat. Across the UK, we gravitate towards warming, substantial meals like soups, casseroles and roast dinners.
While this relates to our need to stay warm and full, one expert suggests there's an emotional component at play. Stelios Kiosses, psychotherapist and course director in culinary psychology at the University of Oxford, has provided further insight.
He argues that cravings aren't simply random, but are profoundly psychological, connecting to memory, mood and even our sense of self. Through research for his forthcoming book on culinary psychology, he has determined that autumn soup cravings stem not merely from chilly weather - but from the memories associated with the foods we yearn for.
Stelios said: "You're not just craving the soup itself, you're craving a feeling. Food taps into memory, emotion, and the desire to return to something joyful and familiar.
"Winter foods are often steeped in memory. The scent of spices warming on the stove, the crackle of a fire, the first sip of something hot after coming in from the cold.
"All of these can transport us instantly. For many, a homemade soup isn't just filling a hole, it's a flashback to cosy evenings, time spent with family, and the comforting rhythm of festive traditions. Think pumpkin picking as a child.
"That's because our senses - especially smell and taste - are closely linked to the limbic system, the part of the brain involved in emotion and memory. When we eat certain foods, we're not just satisfying hunger, we're activating a whole emotional network."
During autumn and winter, people frequently report desiring heartier, more traditional fare. Stelios added: "From around October onwards, many of us long for warmth while the weather outside is far from it. Home-cooked meals, a roast dinner and seasonal fruits and vegetables make us feel more aligned with the season.
"We often use food to signal shifts in life - celebration, rest, even personal change. Autumn eating taps into this. It's not just what we eat, it's how we want to feel."
He continued: "Knowing when we're reaching for food to soothe, to remember, or to celebrate can help us choose foods that align with how we want to feel, not just what we think we should eat. Winter, in this sense, gives us permission to reconnect - with food, with friends and family, and with parts of ourselves we might have neglected during a lighter season.
"So whether it's broccoli and stilton, a cream of tomato or ham and leek, whatever you're drawn to, don't overthink it. Just notice the story it's telling and enjoy it."