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.

Comfort food definition

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 science of comfort food

science of comfort food

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.

What’s considered comfort food?

Comfort food preferences depend on our experiences and backgrounds. However, they usually share these common traits:

Rich and hearty, focusing on flavour and texture;
High in carbs and sugars;
They boost our mood and remind us of positive memories;
They can be homemade meals, restaurant dishes, or snacks and sweets from stores.

Is comfort food healthy?

healthy comfort food

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.

Comfort food examples

Here are some dishes often associated with comfort food:

Pizza: the mix of dough, cheese, and tomato sauce is the perfect blend of carbs, fat, and protein, making our brains happy.
French fries: they’re crispy and salty, reminding us of carefree gatherings with friends and family.
Mashed potato: this side dish is creamy and comforting, also falling into the carb-heavy food group that releases serotonin.
Burgers: a favourite comfort food for many, bringing back memories of barbecues or restaurant visits.
Tacos: a combination of seasoned meat, fresh veggies, and flavorful toppings in a warm tortilla. Tacos, originating from Latin America, have won over hearts throughout the globe.
Burrito: this delicious wrap filled with rice, beans, meat, and cheese delivers a perfect balance of flavours and textures.
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. This comfort food reminds us of times with friends and nights out.
Grilled cheese: warm cheese between crispy bread with butter is simple to make, satisfying, and a popular breakfast comfort food.
Chicken noodle soup: not only warm and tasty but an excellent remedy for colds and flu.
Lasagna: it’s often cooked for big family gatherings and celebrations, which can bring up happy memories.
Ice cream: sweet, creamy, refreshing — ice cream often reminds us of childhood and summer memories.
Chocolate chip cookies: chocolate chip cookies are often connected with memories of baking with family or enjoying a sweet treat with a warm beverage after a long day.
Cinnamon rolls: these remind us of special occasions or weekend breakfasts.

Why do people eat comfort food?

Why do people eat comfort food

Let’s sum up and explore what draws us to these special dishes.

Special connection

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.

Nostalgia

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.

Social bonding

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.

Tasty

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.

Simple pleasures

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.

What’s your comfort food?

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.

Comfort food FAQ

What are the top five comfort foods?

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:

Pizza: Everyone’s beloved Italian food that you can find almost anywhere in the world. That may be why #Pizza has over 70.6 million posts on Instagram.
Sushi: Originating from Japan but enjoyed worldwide. #Sushi has 37.2 million posts on Instagram.
Burger: A classic comfort food that everyone knows thanks to some of the most popular food chains in the world. #Burger has 27.5 million posts on Instagram.
Ramen: Another famous Japanese dish making it to the list with 14.1 million posts on Instagram under the #Ramen hashtag.
Tacos: No need to go to Mexico to try delicious tacos, especially with famous chains making them available in many countries. #Tacos has 13.7 million posts on Instagram.

Why is it called comfort food?

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.

What are the best comfort foods when sick?

Feeling under the weather? Here are some of the best comfort foods to make you feel better:

Soup: warm soups like chicken noodle soup, vegetable soup, or tomato soup can provide a nourishing boost of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants your body needs for recovery.
Ginger: ginger has antibacterial properties that may help protect against colds and can be soothing for a sore throat. Try adding ginger to a garlic noodle soup or drinking ginger tea.
Honey: with its antioxidant, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties, honey’s a great option for a sore throat. Enjoy it on its own, add it to food, or make honey tea.
Oatmeal: oatmeal packs calories, vitamins, and minerals that can help digestion and boost your immune system.
Garlic: garlic’s known for its antimicrobial and antiviral properties, which can help fight off colds. Look for a comfort food like garlic bread or garlic soup.

What are popular vegan comfort foods?

Spring rolls: vegan spring rolls are crispy flour wrapping papers filled with vegetables and herbs.
Guacamole: one of the world’s most beloved dips and spreads made from mashed avocado, onions, tomatoes, and lime juice, which makes any food so much better.
Falafel: these deep-fried patties made from chickpeas or fava beans mixed with herbs and spices are excellent additions to sandwiches, wraps, bowls, salads, and more.
Hummus: another delicious dip from the Middle East, prepared with chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, and tahini. It’s a great addition to your salads, pasta dishes, or spread on bread.
Tofu: a protein-rich food made from soybeans. Tofu’s packed with vitamins and minerals and is a versatile ingredient commonly featured in vegan noodles, burgers, salads, and other dishes.

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.

What are comfort snacks?

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:

Popcorn
Chocolate
Ice cream
Nuts: almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pistachios, etc.
Dried fruit
Dates
Cookies
Potato chips
Pretzels
Cheese and crackers
Granola bars
Yogurt with toppings

What is comfort food?

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