Feeling stressed or sad? The next time you’re in need of comfort, opt for these healthy comfort foods instead!
10 COMFORT FOODS MADE HEALTHY
What do you eat when you’re feeling sad? What about when you’re stressed? I’m willing to bet it’s not an apple or kale salad.
If you’re like most people, you’re probably reaching for cookies, ice cream or maybe even a couple slices of pizza. That’s because these foods provide you some form of comfort.
WHAT IS COMFORT FOOD?
So what’s a comfort food anyway? It’s a food that provides “consolation or a feeling of well-being.” According to psychologists, comfort foods activate the same regions of your brain as reward and pleasure; they literally make you feel good!
In one study published in “Appetite,” volunteers kept a daily food-and-feelings diary for two weeks. At the end of the experiment they learned that participants with strong emotional relationships were more likely to reach for comfort foods on days they felt lonely.
These findings suggest that comfort food’s power may lie in the positive association we have with it. This could be why you crave grandma’s cookies or mom’s mashed potatoes on days you’re feeling sad.
We’re also more likely to eat foods that are high in calories and are made with unhealthy ingredients like sugar, salt and fat. But here’s the good news: you can still have your comfort food and eat it, too!
By swapping out unhealthy ingredients with healthier ones, your go-to comfort foods will not only make you feel better, but they’ll also be better for you!
10 HEALTHY COMFORT FOOD RECIPES
Here are some of our favorite healthy comfort food recipes that will still make you feel good!
MAC & CHEESE
Mac & cheese just might be the ultimate comfort food. Unlike that stuff in the blue box, this recipe is dairy-free and made from whole food ingredients. Bonus: It contains a serving of plant protein.
CHILI
This hearty vegan chili is like a warm hug! Thanks to the addition of immune-boosting and stress reducing superfoods, a serving of this will do your body good.
PASTA CARBONARA
Mac & cheese not your thing? We got you! Featuring a rich and creamy sauce (which is dairy-free BTW), this restaurant quality pasta carbonara will fill your heart and soul!
TOMATO SOUP
Tomato soup is the OG of comfort foods. If you’re feeling down, this vegan tomato soup will lift you up thanks to the combination of energizing superfoods!
OVEN FRIES
Potatoes in all forms are pretty comforting, but nothing beats warm, crispy fries! Rather than deep drying them, these fries get a healthy upgrade by baking them in the oven. Dip them in our cashew sour cream for your daily serving of nutrient-dense greens!
PEANUT BUTTER CUPS
Salty and sweet and made with only 5 ingredients, these peanut butter cups are better (and healthier!) than anything you’ll find in the checkout line at the grocery store.
BROWNIES
Sometimes you just need a brownie — or three! These fudgy vegan brownies have the same rich and chocolate-y taste, but they’re supercharged with ingredients that are better for you, like cacao, chia seeds, and maca as well as rice and pea protein.
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
It doesn’t get any better than a chocolate chip cookie fresh out of the oven! Our healthy take on the classic chocolate chip cookie swaps eggs and butter for guilt-free, whole food ingredients making them a guilt-free treat!
CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM
Craving something chocolatey? This dairy-free chocolate ice cream has you covered! Made with antioxidant-rich cacao, as well as coconut and carob, this chocolatey dessert is both comforting and mood-boosting!
HOT CHOCOLATE
Need to unwind? Made with only 2 ingredients, this soothing hot chocolate will take the edge off and help you get a good night’s sleep.
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