Comfort Food That Nourishes the Body and Soul

People often gain happiness and enjoyment from eating what is often called “comfort food.” Comforting meals may include familiar childhood foods, traditional ethnic dishes, or favorite snacks. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), “During moments of stress or anxiety, a warm bowl of soup or a favorite childhood dish can provide a sense of familiarity and security.” LifeSpring Home Nutrition provides weekly meal deliveries of delicious and nutritious foods. By using this service, people in the community can choose foods that fit their needs and preferences, including familiar comfort foods.

What Is Comfort Food?

Comfort foods are defined as any foods that improve mood or help people feel a sense of calm, peace, and familiarity. Everyone has different foods they find comforting. Many people engage in comfort eating to counteract emotional or physical distress.

Individuals with chronic health issues or mental health disorders are more likely to engage in comfort eating. According to the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, “The prevalence of comfort eating ranges from 15–46% in non-clinical samples and from 47–71% in clinical samples.” Researchers reported that “people eat to relieve negative emotions like anxiety or sadness.” Studies have linked comfort eating to reduced mortality and improved mental health.

Any food can be considered comfort food. However, some common American comfort foods include:

• Macaroni and cheese
• Pie
• Chicken noodle soup
• Dumplings
• Lasagna
• Mashed potatoes and gravy

Culture often plays a significant role in what foods people find comforting. LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers foods from multiple cultures, allowing people to explore different types of cuisine and perhaps even find new comfort foods.

The Mental Health Benefits of Comfort Food

People feel more positive about themselves and their circumstances when they eat certain foods that remind them of better times. For example, older adults who live alone may feel happier and less lonely if they eat foods they used to share with their family. Food can improve mood, increase positivity, provide motivation, and help people feel more secure.

People often eat comfort foods when they’re anxious, uncomfortable, stressed, or emotionally overwhelmed. According to BMC Public Health, “Experiencing stress accompanied by negative emotions is one reason why so-called ‘comfort foods’ are consumed.” Researchers believe these “foods are suspected to be comforting by having positive emotional effects.” Some people may even use familiar and enjoyable meals as a reward if they meet specific goals. Healthy incentives, like a tasty meal, can help people make better lifestyle choices.

Positive Mental Health Improves Physical Healing and Wellness

Individuals with positive mental health, social support, and emotional stability generally experience fewer physical health issues. People living with chronic conditions or recovering from illnesses also benefit from optimal mental health. This Is where comfort foods can make a concrete difference. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “Research has found a link between an upbeat mental state and improved health, including lower blood pressure, reduced risk for heart disease, healthier weight, better blood sugar levels, and longer life.”

Individuals often report feeling physically more energized and better able to function if they eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes foods they find comforting. Comfort foods support positive mental health.

Delicious Comfort Food From LifeSpring Home Nutrition

Meals allow people to sit down and practice mindfulness. Eating comfort food can improve mood and help people focus on the positive experience of eating one of their favorite meals. Often, individuals feel more physically relaxed when they eat foods that remind them of happy times in their lives. LifeSpring Home Nutrition believes food is a medicine that improves physical and emotional health.

Some examples of home-delivered comfort foods include:

• Roast turkey dinner with mashed potatoes and green beans
• Pancakes, turkey sausage, and syrup
• Cheese omelet, hashed browns, and turkey sausage

Breakfast foods, meals at family get-togethers, and cultural dishes are common comfort foods. LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers many delicious and popular dishes filled with nutrient-rich ingredients.

Discovering New Cultures and Comfort Foods

Home-delivered meals offer people a unique opportunity to discover new cultural foods and dishes. Some people may even find a new comfort food to make them feel more at ease. Cultural foods sometimes have unusual ingredients or a different way of incorporating familiar ingredients. Discovering new dishes is one way people develop a healthier relationship with food. Often, individuals find new foods exciting. Exploring diverse dishes gives them a new way of discovering aspects of other cultures without leaving home or spending a lot of money.

Everyone can enjoy foods inspired by various cultures. People come from different backgrounds and have unique memories of meals with loved ones. Often people find it comforting to eat foods they remember from childhood. Western meals include many foods inspired by other cultures. LifeSpring Home Nutrition allows people to find new favorite meals by enjoying comfort foods from different cultures. Vietnamese dishes, Italian-inspired meals, and other foods provide people with familiar comfort and new experiences.

Everyone has foods that make them feel more hopeful, content, and comfortable. For most people, comfort foods are meals they associate with positive or joyful events such as family get-togethers. Cultural identity and personal preferences often play a significant role in determining what foods people find emotionally comforting. LifeSpring Home Nutrition believes that everyone should have access to familiar meals. The LifeSpring food catalog includes ethnic dishes, popular comfort foods, and a wide range of common dishes people find familiar and enjoyable. Home-delivered meals give people convenient access to nutrient-rich comfort foods. To learn more about our various food options and services, reach out today by calling us at (800) 798-5767.