The Cookies Weren't Comfort Food—They Were Emotional Protection

Nika Vorster

Published on: 13/12/2025

I stopped writing mid-sentence yesterday. I was working on a chapter for my book, The Female Rider Code, about my teenage years and my relationship with food. I was describing how I used to eat a whole bag of Tesco's Finest shortbread (five cookies) and a bag of M&Ms every single day during school lunch breaks.