21 Lightened-Up Comfort Food Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What's your go to comfort food best answer? ›

Fried chicken: a classic comfort food because of its crispy texture and the positive memories of picnics and gatherings. Mac and cheese: macaroni noodles in cheese sauce are simple to cook and perfectly balance carbs and proteins. Kebab: meat, veggies, spices, sauces — all mixed on a plate or rolled in a flatbread.

Homemade meals that your family makes like casseroles, fried chicken and biscuits, pasta, pot pie, and soothing soups and chowders like beef stew, matzo ball soup, and chicken soup. Snacks like chips, pretzels, popcorn, nachos, and munchies that curb snack attacks.

You could also bring fresh rolls, cold cuts, cheeses, and potato salad. Drop off a fruit and vegetable platter along with an extra-large sub. Never underestimate the appeal of a warm pizza.

Comfort food is the name given to food that we simply associate with good. It gives us great pleasure and joy because it evokes positive emotions in us. Comfort food makes us feel good, it activates the reward area of the brain, which can improve mood and reduce stress when we eat these foods, in the moment.

Pizza has rightfully earned its place as the world's most beloved food. This Italian creation has become a staple in numerous countries, with endless variations to suit every taste bud. Whether you prefer thin crust or deep dish, classic Margherita, or loaded pepperoni, pizza has something for everyone.

Foods containing complex carbohydrates are thought to boost serotonin in the brain, contributing to a calming effect, the Mayo Clinic explains. To get more of these, look to whole grain bread and cereal, as well as quinoa and brown rice. In particular, the experts recommend eating oats and oatmeal to get complex carbs.

One thing that all comfort foods have in common is that they fill you up. Have you ever heard of a comfort food that leaves you feeling slightly unsatisfied and a little hungry? Of course not! Pizza is a fantastic comfort food because it's hot and delicious, but it also fills you up completely.

Pancakes come in many textures and flavors with versions found in most cultures around the world. While they can be served any time of day, for many people they are the ultimate breakfast comfort food.

What food is good for grief? ›

Eat well: A well-balanced diet can help you withstand the stress of grieving, says Harvard Medical School. Eat lots of vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins, and don't forget to drink plenty of water. It's easy to get dehydrated when you're busy grieving!

Comfort foods, the study found, actually do make us feel less sad. So what were the top seven items on my poll? Mac and cheese hit the No. 1 spot, followed by beef stew, apple pie and ice cream, chicken and dumplings/chicken pot pie, meatloaf with mashed potatoes, bread pudding and fried chicken.

If you call something comfort food, you mean it is enjoyable to eat and makes you feel happier, although it may not be very good for your health. For me, spaghetti bolognese is the ultimate comfort food.

Merriam-Webster defines comfort food as “food that is satisfying because it is prepared in a simple or traditional way and reminds you of home, family, or friends.” Oxford Dictionaries gives a more specific definition: “Food that provides consolation or a feeling of well-being, typically having a high sugar or ...

Defined as food that gives emotional comfort to the one eating it, these tend to be favorite foods of childhood, or linked to a person, place or time with which the food has a positive association.