An expert explained why you might be craving a specific food this October – and it’s not just because it’s cold outside
A psychotherapist has revealed why you might be craving a specific food this October. According to the food psychology expert, this has more to do with memory and emotion than you might think.
As temperatures drop and the nights draw in many of us will experience a shift in our eating habits. In the UK we often turn to hearty hot meals such as soups, casseroles, and roast dinners.
While this is linked to a need to stay warm and full, one expert has said this is also due to how we feel. Stelios Kiosses, psychotherapist and course director in culinary psychology at the University of Oxford, explained more.
He believes that that cravings are more than just a coincidence, but instead are deeply psychological, tapping into memory, mood, and even our sense of identity. As part of research for his upcoming book on culinary psychology he has concluded that autumnal cravings for soup are not just because of the cool weather itself – but rather because of the memories that come with the foods we crave.
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.”
In autumn and winter, people often report craving heartier, traditional foods. Stelios continued: “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 added: “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.”