When you’re craving comfort food, it can be hard to find something that’s both healthy and satisfying. But if you’re willing to be flexible with a few ingredients then there are options out there.
Traditionally, we define comfort food as foods that are high in calories and fat. Usually these tend to be the sort of carb-heavy meals that can leave you feeling sated, but bloated. Often comfort food is associated with eating through negative emotions like stress and anxiety. But comfort food doesn’t have to be unhealthy. There are plenty of healthy comfort foods that can give you the same warm, fuzzy feeling without the guilt.
The other thing you need to recognise is that comfort food is important because it can help you feel better both physically and emotionally. When you’re feeling down, a warm, hearty meal can be just what you need to boost your mood. And when you’re physically uncomfortable, comfort food can help to soothe your symptoms.
Some of our favourite healthy comfort foods include roasted vegetables, whole grain breads, soups and stews and, of course, biscuits. These foods can be packed with nutrients and fibre and they’re sure to fill you up. Plus, they’re easy to make and can be tailored to your specific taste.
Making healthy comfort food is easier than you might think. Start by swapping out unhealthy ingredients for healthier alternatives. For example, use whole wheat flour instead of white flour, you can also add in extra vegetables into a stew rather than extra dumplings.
Here are some of our favourite healthy comfort food recipes:
- Chicken soup
- Vegetable soup
- Grilled cheese sandwich
- Mashed potatoes with anything
- Banana bread
- Chocolate chip cookies
What healthy comfort foods do you find yourself going back to over and over?
