Hippocrates once said, Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.
There are times in our daily routine when we all crave something that boosts our mood and relaxes us. We call them comfort foods as they remind us of the love of parents or caregivers.
Comfort foods can be rich in calories and fat, but if made with healthy ingredients, they can be fantastic flavors with maximum nutrition.
If you are wondering what meal choices can help boost your mood, then you are at the right place, as you will find the top eight soothing and healthier meal choices for ultimate comfort food cravings.
Salmon with brown rice
Seafood is many people’s best friend.
Studies have found that omega-3 is responsible for managing the mood-regulating brain cells in the mind. Many cultures that intake more fish serving have less impact on developing depression.
In seafood, if talking about salmon, many people don’t consider it a comfort food. In most cultures, it’s more a luxurious food filled with rich vitamins and minerals one should need. It will be healthier to consume omega-three as our bodies cannot produce it.
So, why not salmon with brown rice if you are craving something fishy?
Custard and Crème
When talking about the comfort food that lifts the spirit, let’s spread sweetness to those with a sweet tooth.
There are many comfort desserts that require no frills and fancy plating, and you can enjoy each bite’s simple and true flavor.
One such dessert is custard and crème, which you can spruce up according to your taste. If you don’t feel like making it, don’t worry when markets are filled with instant custard solutions, you can check Andy’s frozen custard menu prices and get yourself delivered the sweetness you want.
Banana Split
Don’t go bananas when you get them sliced in your bowl. This transformation of banana with ice cream can easily be modified into a less fattening solution when having a sweet tooth.
You shouldn’t beat yourself up for having a bowl of a banana split with ice cream as it can make you culprit in sugar and fat content. But if you modify your choices and add dairy and sugar-free ice cream with bananas, you can include it in your occasional comfort food menu.
A low-fat ice cream can kill sadness with the same power and doesn’t make you feel guilty.
Spaghetti and meatballs
You must know the ultimate benefits of whole wheat pasta and portions of beef with rich folic acid. It results in increasing the serotonin levels in our body, which boost our mood.
When having spaghetti as a love food, try to add vitamin-packed baby Spanish, broccoli, or any green leafy salad on the side. These can powerfully lift your mood and give your body the required nutrition.
Meatballs and spaghetti have been a great couple since history, but they can transfer the guilty pleasure into a healthy meal intake.
Scramble eggs
Breakfast is an essential meal of the day, and if you have comfort food in it? What possible magic will it do to your body and brain?
Studies have shown that having comfort food for breakfast repeatedly increases energy and improves mood. So, what will be healthier than eggs and a bowl of oatmeal on the side?
Having eggs with oatmeal produces dopamine in the body which results in an increase in happiness. You can add oatmeal pancakes or whole-wheat toast with your egg servings and take your breakfast game to the next level.
MAC and Cheese
Ask a child, teen, or adult why they love macaroni and cheese. The only single-word answer you will get is because it is delicious.
It is the most common comfort food you can cook anytime. Although you can find the boxed one, the best one is still homemade as the cheese and milk used in it provide vitamin B, which lessens depression.
Carbohydrates are a great source of increasing serotonin in the body, which gives good mood vibes and energy. If you are a pasta fan, you level your pasta game by switching from regular to multigrain as it fulfills the whole-grain serving.
Beef or chicken stew
Are you feeling sad or sick? There is nothing that will feel right in your belly than a bowl of soup. Any soup can become a delicacy if touched with a slice of red meat or chicken. Giving your all-time favorite soup a touch of high protein is critical to enhancing the mood.
While making yourself a bowl from heaven, you can prepare the dish in tomato, beef, or chicken broth instead of fat-laden gravy. You can be more health conscious by adding potatoes or other vitamin-rich vegetables to your bowl.
The final meal will be all-around satisfying for your taste buds and body and lift you toward true happiness.
