Savory foods, characterized by rich and complex flavors often achieved through the use of herbs, spices and umami-rich ingredients like meat, mushrooms and soy sauce, have flavors that are deeply satisfying and lend a sense of comfort to those who eat them.

Savory foods have greater versatility than sweet foods; they can be enjoyed at any time of day, from breakfast to dinner and any time in between, and can be adapted to suit a wide range of cultural and dietary preferences. Savory dishes also pair well with a variety of beverages, including beer, wine and cocktails, making them a popular choice for social gatherings.

While sweet foods are often high in sugar and calories, savory foods can be rich in protein, fiber and healthy fats. They provide sustained energy and promote feelings of fullness, which helps prevent overeating and support healthy weight management.

One of the reasons why savory foods are so satisfying is that they often contain a variety of textures as well as flavors. For example, a savory dish might include crispy, crunchy or chewy elements along with creamy or silky components. This creates a more interesting and enjoyable eating experience than sweet foods, which often have a more uniform texture. Savory dishes can be prepared in many different ways, including grilling, roasting, simmering and frying, allowing for a wide range of cooking techniques and culinary creativity. Frying foods gives them a unique crispiness and grilling lends a deeper charred flavor to the dish and marinating allows for greater flavor; it is the unique combination of so many different methods of cooking savory dishes that allows them to be so delicious.

A personal favorite of mine is fried chicken: crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, browned to perfection, perfectly seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices. Different cultures have their own unique ways of seasoning fried chicken, such as using paprika, cayenne pepper, or chili powder in the United States versus a blend of turmeric, cumin and coriander in Indian-style fried chicken. It’s also quite a personable dish: some people prefer their fried chicken to be extra crispy, while others prefer a softer, more tender texture. Fried chicken can also be served with a variety of dipping sauces or condiments, such as hot sauce, ranch dressing or honey mustard, which add even more flavor to each bite.

When I eat sweet foods, it can be easy for me to consume them quickly and mindlessly, without really savoring the flavors or paying attention to my body’s cues of hunger and fullness. In contrast, savory foods often require more attention and engagement, as I focus on the different flavors and textures and take time to chew and savor each bite.

I find savory foods to be more satisfying than sweet foods because they provide a sense of balance and contrast in flavors. The combination of salty, sour, bitter and umami flavors creates a more complex and interesting eating experience, which is more enjoyable than simply consuming sweet foods. These dishes create a sense of warmth and familiarity, evoking memories of home-cooked meals or special occasions.

The air is hot with dryness and the beating sun of summer. The surging temperature outdoors causes sweat to run down my face and soak my shirt. I take a bite of juicy watermelon, with the sweet taste and cool flavor exploding in my mouth, relieving the heat temporarily. From drinking hot chocolate while warming my hands on the cup on cool days to chowing down on popsicles on hot days, or from formal events, where a multi-tiered cake fits the atmosphere perfectly, to the casual outings with friends, passing around the candy, there is a sweet food that is made for every circumstance.

With a versatility of applications, sweet foods also have a variety of tastes, from nutty honey to rich caramel. My favorite dessert, chocolate chip cookies, contain a slightly crunchy exterior with a warm and gooey interior. The overwhelming toffee flavor complements the sweeter chocolate, creating a delicious combination. Then, dipping the warm cookie into a glass of milk softens the hard edges just a little bit while adding a cooler tone to each bite. Even with a simple dessert like a cookie, variations such as replacing chocolate chips with raisins, adding nuts or decreasing the amount of sugar based on personal preference are easy to make.

After all, there is a reason for the age-old adage “there is always room for dessert.” No matter how full I feel, I am always able to eat just one more slice of cake to finish off my meal because of the delicious flavors and unique textures that contrast from the general main meal. Eating more savory foods will not appeal to my appetite then, but sweet foods always have the ability to satisfy me.

Oftentimes, sweet foods bring to mind just the candies and unhealthy gorging, but fruits are both sweet and healthy. Within the variety of fruits available, there are a multitude of options amongst smoothies, dried fruits, baked chips and frozen grapes. They also pair well with foods like yogurt, granola and nuts. Many vegetables such as corn and sweet potatoes taste sweet while being nutritious.

Sweet foods also represent more than just food. Many of my best memories are all centered around baking with friends, laughing as we inevitably messed up recipes and then grinning in surprise later on as we tasted our baked concoctions. Baking brings friends closer, giving us all experiences that we can smile in remembering. Those joyful experiences were all tied together by sweet foods.

Savory foods like meats and vegetables tend to be more filling; however, when eating snacks, sweet foods are a better option. With a variety of different snacks, sweet foods tend to be more applicable to different situations.

It’s scientifically proven that eating sweet foods cause a rush in dopamine, which increases happiness and focus. While stimulating a positive reaction in the body, the taste of sweet foods appeals to me over savory ones because of their innately mouthwatering nature and the variety of textures that complement the flavor.