What are healthy comfort foods?
Whether it’s hot or chilly outside, we all have those days where we just want to lay on the sofa, watch a movie, and munch on our favorite comfort food. Usually, as long as a food gives you comfort, then there are no wrong comfort food choices. However, we do tend to overindulge ourselves in our comfort food and usually, the comfort foods we crave are loaded with fat and calories. So with this, it is better to have healthier choices when it comes to comfort food.
You can start with the easiest foods to make such as a hot breakfast of oats or other types of porridge. In addition to keeping you full and warm, oats are also full of other nutrients. You can also boil some sweet potatoes and other root vegetables which raises your body temperature. Aside from this, sweet potatoes also provide fiber and other nutrients to your body.
To maintain or prepare your own share of healthy comfort food, you must:
- Watch the portion size and don’t overindulge in just one food
- If cookies are your comfort food, then look for a healthier version such as oatmeal raisin, vanilla wafers, or ginger snaps.
- If you are craving for something salty, then the healthiest options for you are popcorn, baked tortilla chips and salsa, and pretzels.
- If you are craving for ice cream, then you can try for a low-fat version with granola or top it with fruits.
- Include in vegetables wherever you can. Adding vegetables to your comfort food is the easiest way to make the food a bit lighter. So instead of adding ground meat, you can replace it with spinach, eggplant, zucchini and more.
- Another famous comfort food is anything with cheese. However, there are cheese options that are healthier than some so it is best to be mindful to make smart cheese choices.
- Look for whole grains. You can swap out your regular wheat pizza to a whole-grain one which also happens to be gluten-free.
What is the number one comfort food?
In retrospect, there is no bad comfort food. As long as it gives you comfort and happiness, then it’s good.
However, not all our comfort foods are the same but there are the most well-known and loved ones such as chocolates, pizza, mac and cheese, burgers, and more. But to know which is the number one comfort food in the US, Harris Poll conducted a survey wherein 2,252 American adults are surveyed to list down their top comfort foods. And the top comfort food result is none other than pizza!
Nearly 15 percent of the 2,252 adults surveyed by Harris listed pizza as their top comfort food, more than twice as many as said chocolate (7 percent) or ice cream (7 percent) and more still than said mac and cheese (5 percent), chips (4 percent), hamburgers (3 percent), steak (3 percent), or either popcorn, pasta or Mexican food (2 percent apiece).
Healthy comfort foods
Don’t feel bad when you just want to laze in your home with your favorite comfort food. However, try your best to not overindulge in junk foods or unhealthy food choices. With that said, here is a list of healthy comfort foods you will surely love:
15. Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Skillet
This easy Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Skillet dish is cabbage rolls deconstructed, with all the same great components and flavors, but half the time!
Check it here.
14. Slow Cooker Taco Soup
This Slow Cooker Taco Soup iThis Slow Cooker Taco Soup is an easy meal made in your crock pot using pantry staples! Super nutritious also, to get you through cold and flu season! See more Healthy Leftover Taco Meat Recipes.
Check it here.
13. Roasted Butternut Squash Curry
The coziest-ever Roasted Butternut Squash Curry with protein-packed lentils and hearty Brussels sprouts.
Check it here.
12. Delicious and Healthy Crockpot Vegetarian Chili
Looking for a healthy AND comforting dish perfect for the cool weather months?! This Crockpot Vegetarian Chili recipe is super easy and great for even the pickiest of eaters. A great combo of beans, veggies and lentils come together for a great tasting chili, I promise you won’t miss the meat!
Check it here.
11. Chicken Tortilla Soup {Leftover Chicken Recipe}
Chicken Tortilla Soup is a great way to stretch leftover chicken, easily feeding your family dinner for a second night!
Check it here.
10. Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs with Polenta
These red wine braised beef short ribs are slow cooked for hours until they are tender, juicy, and fall off the bone. Using a fool proof oven baked polenta method, you’re left with deliciously braised short ribs, creamy polenta, and topped with gravy.
Check it here.
9. 5 Ingredient Instant pot Mac and Cheese
With this easy 5 ingredient Instant Pot macaroni and cheese, you can have creamy homemade mac and cheese on the table in minutes. This homemade macaroni and cheese recipe gives you the creamy cheesy goodness of other macaroni and cheese recipes with a fraction of the work. Plus it tastes a million times better than anything you’d get in a box!
Check it here.
8. Cauliflower Chickpea Curry
This vegetable cauliflower chickpea curry is packed with flavor. A vegan curry recipe made with delicious coconut milk, quick, easy and will be a weeknight favorite.
Check it here.
7. 15 Minute Asian Chicken Noodle Soup
Easy 15 minute Asian chicken noodle soup made with a delicious Asian style broth flavored with garlic, ginger & hot chili oil. The perfect soup for cold & flu season!
Check it here.
6. Spicy Sweet Potato Soup | THM: E
Spicy Sweet Potato Soup with a slice of sprouted bread is my new favorite Trim Healthy Mama-friendly E lunch!
Check it here.
5. Keto Mac and Cheese with Zoodles
With only 5 grams of net carbs per serving, this Keto Mac and Cheese recipe lets you enjoy this comfort food favorite without any guilt! It’s made with spiralized zucchini in a rich, creamy cheese sauce!
Check it here.
4. Creamy Pesto and Goat Cheese Pasta
Сreamy Pesto and Goat Cheese Pasta is a quick vegetarian weeknight dinner recipe, done in less than 30 minutes. This is an easy and quick pantry pasta dinner recipe. A delicious creamy goat cheese and pesto sauce with no cream!
Check it here.
3. Creamy White Chicken Chili | THM: S
This Creamy White Chicken Chili is a wonderful alternative to the more traditional, beef-y, tomato-y varieties. My dear husband, (who happily held the spoon in the air for me while I took pictures of this dish!) told me this was at least as good as his previous favorite chili, the one I even named “Brad’s Favorite Chili!”
Check it here.
2. Cauliflower Chicken Chowder (low carb & gluten free)
Creamy Cauliflower Chicken Chowder is made from scratch with all low carb, keto-friendly, gluten free ingredients. With only 10 net carbs per serving, it’s a warm, comforting, and filling dish. This is an easy soup recipe for lunch or meal prep.
Check it here.
1. Crockpot Tortilla Soup
This Crockpot Tortilla Soup recipe makes a great easy dinner! It’s healthy and made from scratch with chicken, black beans, and corn in the slow cooker.
Check it here.
Healthy Comfort Food Recipes - 15 Delicious Versions of Comfort Food
Whether it’s hot or chilly outside, we all have those days where we just want to lay on the sofa, watch a movie, and munch on our favorite comfort food. Usually, as long as a food gives you comfort, then there are no wrong comfort food choices. However, we do tend to overindulge ourselves in our comfort food and usually, the comfort foods we crave are loaded with fat and calories. So with this, it is better to have healthier choices when it comes to comfort food.
Ingredients
- Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Skillet
- Slow Cooker Taco Soup
- Roasted Butternut Squash Curry
- Delicious and Healthy Crockpot Vegetarian Chili
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
Instructions
- Choose any Healthy Comfort Food Recipes from the post that you like
- Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
- Try the best Healthy Comfort Food Recipes and share your photo under my pin on Pinterest!
I share healthy recipes, clean eating ideas, and meal plans for weight loss, as well as give you the best tips on wellness, pregnancy, and parenting advice.