8 Comfort Foods That Are Good For You
Certain foods – ice-cream, meatloaf, potatoes, and sugary snacks – bring comfort by boosting the amount of serotonin and feel-good chemicals in the brain. However, most comfort foods only deliver temporary results and may cause you to feel worse later in the day. To be truly comforting, food should boost your mood and deliver sound nutrition without the crash that usually follows junk food consumption. So, the next time you feel down, don’t reach for the chocolate, choose one of the following healthy comfort foods instead.
1. Chicken Noodle Soup or Chicken and Dumplings
By changing a few ingredients, you can have all the satisfaction of your favorite comfort dish.
2. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter and other nut butters are extremely satisfying and full of essential, healthy fats, minerals and vitamins.
3. Oatmeal
Not only is it warm and sweet, oatmeal contains a lot of fiber and protein, which slows down your digestion, making you feel full and satisfied. Top your oatmeal with healthy cinnamon or honey to satisfy sweet cravings.
4. Baked Potato
A baked potato can be very bad for you, but it can also be good for you. It’s all about what you put on it. Instead of slathering yours with butter, sour cream, and bacon, top your spud with salsa and other fat-free options.
5. Hot Chocolate
If you must have chocolate, make it a cup of cocoa. Most hot-chocolate mixes are fat free and have very few calories. The warmth, sweetness, and chocolate goodness of this sweet treat make it truly comforting.
6. Coffee
The caffeine contained in a regular cup of coffee can boost your mood instantly, increase your energy, and improve your metabolism.
7. Beef and Lean Meat
Pot roast, steak, and other lean red meats really stick to your ribs and make you feel comforted and full. The protein contained in red meat also makes it a good option because it takes a while for your body to break down the proteins, meaning that you will feel fuller longer and avoid a sugar crash and another run to the fridge later.
8. Carrots
The sweet taste and crisp texture of carrots make them an ideal substitute for potato chip cravings and urges to give into your sweet tooth. You can even dip yours into some low-fat salad dressing and not feel guilty about it.
As you can see, many of your tried-and-true comfort foods can be adapted and made healthier just by changing a few ingredients. So, if you’re really craving that hot-fudge sundae, why not look for ways that you can make your special treat a little better for your health and your waistline.
