God, I feel your pain.
Was really motivated all through hard lockdown to get as fit and healthy as possible, to maximise my Covid (and winter bugs) fighting chances.
Managed to keep it up pretty well until chronic pain condition relapsed 3 weeks ago, walks and home exercise became impossible until pain relief sorted, weather changed and old habits are now sneaking back.
Way back when, I suppose we'd be pre-loading with as much stodge to tide us over brutally tough winters. Hibernation instincts remain hardwired.
(That's my excuse completely amateur theory anyway!)
Love risotto and stews with a passion, but am experimenting with cooking up comforting soups instead.
Packed full of beans, pulses and veg etc. but adding lots of strong, punchy flavours.
Eaten with a multigrain cracker or two.
(Poor substitute for buttery mash, but...)
And homemade dhal served with mixed grains & veg is good and warming.
As it's nutritious and low-fat, you can fill up with decent helpings, thus don't feel deprived.
Also been tweaking fruit crumble toppings to use oats instead.
New discovery:
When only brownies will hit the spot, these fractionally healthier versions are surprisingly delicious, squidgy and hot from the oven
www.eatingbirdfood.com/fudgy-maple-flourless-black-bean-brownies/
TBH, in these current strange and anxious times, I'm concentrating on mental wellbeing. Which (for me) means un-learning food guilt and punishing regimes.
No judgment of those who swear by strict calorie-counting regimes and banning all forms of sugar and/or carbs...each to their own...just doesn't work for me.
As physical movement limited for now, and cardiovascular workouts out of the question, I'm struggling with the "well, just move more" mentality spouted by 80% of health media .
I wish I bloody could...
Meantime, I'm getting a lot of reassurance and nice supportive group community via live Zoom 'mindful self-compassion' meditation sessions.
Helping immeasurably with my anxiety and stress levels. Would recommend them to anyone else suffering same.
(They're totally free as well).
I'm definitely in the 'food for pleasure' camp, though!