Jan 31, 2024
Ever thought to yourself, ‘What is comfort food?’ You’re not alone. You might often hear about it, but everyone has a different answer — pizza, burgers, salads, soups, etc.
It has a different meaning for every person.
So, what is considered comfort food? Let’s explore the definition, the science, and some popular comfort food choices.
Don’t expect a specific dish as an answer because that’s not what comfort food is about.
Comfort food refers to dishes that bring you a sense of well-being. It’s often associated with positive memories and emotions and can help deal with stress, anxiety, or when you’re feeling under the weather.
Think of a warm bowl of soup your family made when you were sick or a slice of pizza you enjoyed on a Friday night with friends.
Just one bite can take us back to a specific time when we felt happy and cared for.
Sometimes, just the smell of such food can bring up those emotions, especially if it reminds us of our childhood.
That explains why comfort food varies from person to person — we’ve all had different experiences with foods that shaped our preferences for comfort.
For some, sweet flavours may bring emotional comfort, while others reminisce about good times when eating salads with nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits.
For most, however, comfort foods share common characteristics: they’re generally high in calories, carbohydrates, and fats.
And it’s these nutrients that release the feel-good chemicals in our brains.
The idea of comfort food and its effect on our emotions isn’t a myth or superstition; it’s a science-researched and backed topic.
Studies have shown that eating comfort food activates chemicals in our brains, such as dopamine, associated with pleasure and reward.
As mentioned above, comfort foods are often high in carbohydrates, which can increase the production of serotonin in the brain, leading to feelings of calmness.
This is why we may crave certain dishes like carb-heavy pasta or burgers when feeling down or stressed.
The emotional connection we have with comfort food is also important. Many of us associate certain foods with positive memories from childhood or other significant moments in our lives.
Eating these foods can trigger those happy memories and provide comfort and nostalgia.
Comfort food preferences depend on our experiences and backgrounds. However, they usually share these common traits:
It’s crucial to find a balance when it comes to comfort food, which is often high in calories and carbohydrates. Yes, it brings comfort, but eating too much might lead to emotional eating.
Instead, enjoying these foods mindfully and in moderation can be better for your mental and physical health.
But there are plenty of healthy comfort foods to choose from. Soups, stews, salads, fruits, and veggies are full of nutrients and excellent choices for healthy meals.
The key is to balance enjoying your favourite food and making healthy choices that support your well-being.
Here are some dishes often associated with comfort food:
Let’s sum up and explore what draws us to these special dishes.
Comfort foods hold a unique place in our hearts — tied to memories and experiences that are exclusively ours. That’s what makes these foods more than just a meal.
Whether it’s a tomato soup from a holiday in Spain, a mother’s poached eggs, or the chicken broth from your childhood, comfort food can transport us to moments of happiness, safety, and love.
Comfort foods are often shared with family or friends, creating perfect opportunities to remember old times and share stories. These moments add to the enjoyment and become cherished memories for the future.
Let’s not forget that comfort foods are simply delicious! Some are creamy, some crispy, some soft — but they’re all rich in taste and texture, making them hard to resist.
It’s something so simple yet so pleasing. Thanks to food delivery apps, all it takes is a quick tap, and your favourite dish is on its way to your door with all the positive memories.
Whatever your go-to comfort food — pizza, hamburger, poke bowl, something sweet, or something savoury — you’ll likely find it on Bolt Food.
Open our app, explore a variety of cuisines and restaurants, and order comfort food from the comfort of home.
Answering this question is tricky because everyone likes different things. But some foods are more popular than others. Let’s check Instagram hashtags to see what food people are talking about:
Eating comfort food gives us emotional comfort, relaxation, and enjoyment. This isn’t just because of the ingredients and how our brains respond but also because of our memories and experiences connected to these foods.
Feeling under the weather? Here are some of the best comfort foods to make you feel better:
While these foods and ingredients are often vegan-friendly, it’s best to check product labels or ask restaurants and businesses about their cooking methods.
Comfort snacks fall under ‘comfort food’. But unlike a full meal, these are light treats we often associate with good memories that taste great and give us energy.
Here are some popular comfort food snacks:
