When you hear the words Comfort Food what do you think? Ice Cream? Mashed Potatoes? Popcorn? Amish Whoopee Pies?
I admit I’ve eaten a bowl of popcorn for dinner!
A friend recently told me that foods consumed by a child or pre-teen become that person’s comfort food for life. Really? I got online, started to research, and even came across tools that calculate TDEE and calorie needs, making it easier to understand long-term eating habits. Sure enough, I found studies proving he was correct.
On the other hand, I also read several articles based on studies claiming the consumption of Comfort Foods brings no comfort. During the testing, the “guinea pigs” might experience a fleeting time of comfort from anxiety, but no longer than the subjects who ate food they didn’t crave, or those who ate nothing.
One article claimed Comfort Food is a myth. The conclusion of a double-blind study proved that people give comfort food homage for an elevated mood, which would have occurred without the particular food.
Yes, I could find a treat in this case to elevate my mood!
What a surprise when I asked a dear friend if she had a comfort food. She sighed blissfully and said, “Yes, olive oil and vinegar over lettuce.” Huh?
So, I asked a neighbor, who told me she did enjoy desserts, but she didn’t consider them comfort foods.
Does Ice Cream beckon you from the freezer?
Now, I’m confused. Is the notion of Comfort Food a myth? Do you have a Comfort Food?
Do you think the Amish have Comfort Foods? Does all Amish food bring comfort?
Amish-made Shop-N-Tote Bag from Lancaster County, PA.
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My comfort food is a big bowl of popcorn!!
I can picture a bowl of popcorn, Carol! Yummy. Good look in the giveaway!
Kate
I have a lot of comfort foods lately but my very favorite is popcorn.
Kate
I like popcorn too, Nancy! And a little melted butter can’t hurt. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
My comfort foods are seasonal….jelly beans at Easter, candy corn in the Fall and green/red spice drops at Christmas! Also, soup on a gloomy day sounds yummy. I do believe in comfort foods if only for the moment. Thanks for the opportunity to win. Linda
How yummy to stick with the seasons, Linda! Makes my mouth water. I agree, soup is comforting on a gloomy day. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Mashed potatoes is always my fave food with butter, or gravy or even mushroom soup gravy if I have pork chops. I like them fluffy and whipped using an electric beater with bit of milk and butter.
You make me want to stop by your house for supper, Lori! Sounds delicious. Thanks for leaving a comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Lots of favorite comfort foods, but homemade vegetable soup is the tops.
Homemade vegetable soup sounds about as healthy as you can get, Susan! And delicious. On a rainy day like today, plus thunder and lightning, soup would’ve been perfect. Thanks for writing. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Mine is Mac an Tomatoes …I believe that comfort food is something you had from your past…My mom would cook some tomatoes with a bit of butter, pinch of sugar. pinch of parsley, salt, pepper and add it to cooked macaroni…I could eat bowls of it….an to this day I still love it as much as ever….
You’re living proof that comfort food is something you enjoyed in your past, Marilyn! Particularly if served by a loving mom. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Potato soup topped with a little cheese and bacon. Yum!
Potato soup sounds delicious, Nyla! Melted cheese and bacon on top … my mouth is watering. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Comfort foods? Well lets see, fried chicken, whipped mashed potatoes, sweet corn, cornbread muffins…I’m going right for the foods! Oh yeah, dessert, a big ole piece of coconut pie..
Everything you mentioned sounds fabulous, Kathy! Coconut pie is considered food, isn’t it? Yummy!
Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love love love home made chicken soup with home made bread still warm from the oven with real butter on it
That sounds so, so, so delicious, Sandi! Yes, of course, real butter. Thanks for leaving your mouthwatering comment. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Home made vegetable soup or chili on a cold, rainy (snowy) day.
Both vegetable soup and chili sound comforting on a cold, rainy day, Diana! We’ve had no snow, but hail this afternoon along with thunder and lightning. A bowl of either would have been greatly appreciated. Healthy and delicious! Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
My comfort food is my poppy’s home made pea soup. I treasure all the time i spent in the kitchen with him. Now that he is gone, i make this soup on my own. So many memories.. I can feel him standing next to me and telling me ,now quennie you need to keep stiring to make it creamy.. Love my poppy, and muss him much.
What a lovely scene of you two in the kitchen together. I imagine you do miss him, Marylar! I’m so glad you’ve continued making his soup and enjoying fond memories. Thanks for sharing his cooking instructions with me. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
mine would be homemade mac & cheese or soup
Sounds like a lovely combination, Sheila, no matter the weather or your mood! Thanks for entering the giveaway! Good luck!
Kate
Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Why do grilled cheese and tomato soup go together so perfectly, Fern? Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
mine is homemade Mac and cheese with green chiles
Your spin on Mac and cheese sounds delicious, Kelly! Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Comfort food for me is Homemade Brownies and Milk.
Oh, Andrea, that does sound good! It’s been a few years since I’ve indulged in that lovely combo! Too long. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
There are several things I consider ‘comfort foods’, or maybe memory foos because thy all have a memory associated with them.
Popcorn – dad made it every Sunday night
Pie and pie crust tarts – made with my great grandmother when I still had to stand on a chair to reach the table.
Grilled cheese and tomato soup – my mom’s ‘bad day’ sympathy meal
Ice cream with chocolate sauce – introduced by a wonderful aunt; it got me, my kids and a multitude of others through all the teenage heart breaks.
There are more, but you get the idea…
I love the idea of memory foods, Mary! Each example is lovely, paints a picture … and also sounds delicious. In fact, Memory Foods would be a great title for a cookbook. Thanks for writing and I’m wishing you extra good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
My mom d isn’t make this but I learned how to and my favourite is chicken fried steak and gravy,chilli is my second one that my mom did make …
Chicken fried steak and gravy sounds delicious, as does chili, Donita! Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
My comfort food is anything that I’m in the mood for. Sometimes it’s popcorn,sometimes it’s ice cream. It just depends on the situation
In other words, you don’t have a particular comfort food, Barb, but whatever suits your fancy. Either popcorn or ice cream sounds so delicious, yet their texture, taste, temperature … everything is opposite. Sounds as if we need to do another survey on comfort food. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I would say my comfort food is homemade vegetable soup with beef and homemade Chili ..
lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com
I would gladly share your homemade vegetable soup with beef or chili at lunch today, Elizabeth! I’m reminded of the fact I rarely cook home-made soup anymore. My husband is not a great lover of soup, but there’s no reason I shouldn’t make it since I’m the one who is at home mid-day. Thanks for writing and getting me inspired to cook. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I could use a slice of Coconut Cream Pie. Then a slice a pizza an DT. Mt.Dew.
Would love to win. Love your writing. Have a Blessed Easter…
Sandi, may you have a blessed Easter too. I’d pounce right on that coconut cream pie! It’s been ages since I’ve had any. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
One of my favorite comfort foods is my homemade egg noodles with fresh cooked chunks of chicken and good rich chicken broth – no can stuff here. 🙂
My favorite childhood comfort food would have to be my Mom’s homemade vegetable beef soup with a big pan of cornbread. Don’t know if it was the love put in it or maybe the memories it brings to mind, but as much as I have tried, I can’t duplicate my Mom’s soup. It’s good – but just not like Momma’s. Do you have something your Mom made that you just can’t get right too?
My mom used to make chicken broth with a pressure cooker and store it in the freezer, Kay! Whenever she made soup, voila, delicious broth. She did not make homemade noodles or cornbread, and that sounds fabulous. I taught myself how to make cornbread and love it. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Any home cooked soup or chili in the winter is comfort food, during the spring and summer it is fresh juicy fruit, peaches especially!
Home-cooked chili and soup is indeed comforting in the winter, Tracie! Ooh, I look forward to peaches, my favorite fruit! My parents had a wonderful peach tree … maybe a comfort food for me? But no one else has been able to preserve peaches as well as she did. (in my mind) Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Mac & cheese is my comfort food, especially my grandmom’s homemade version.
I wish I could have tasted your grandma’s version, Cindy! I’m sure it was superb. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
Although several come to mind. One of my favorites is a fresh tomato from the garden made into a tomato sandwich on “white” bread as we call it in the south, (that sticks to the roof of your mouth), with just a little salt and mayo.
We used to eat tomato sandwiches with mayo and a sprinkling of salt too, Sharon! Thanks for bringing that lovely memory to mind. And thanks for teaching me what real white bread is. Yum. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Chocolate
Chocolate does seem to cover a multitude of disappointments and emotions, Debbie! I can never seem to get enough of it, but I’m not sure if it’s to comfort me or satisfy my taste buds. Well, I always feel better after eating some! Good luck in the giveaway!
Even though I’m 45 my comfort food would be anything my mother would cook for me. But here at home I love my Sea Salt Caramel Talenti Gelato.
I love caramel ice cream, Michelle, but have never heard of Sea Salt Caramel Talenti Gelato! Sounds scrumptious! Thanks for writing. Good luck!
Kate
homemade chicken noddle soup but when I make it, it’s more a stew and also beef roast with gravy.
Be it chicken noodle soup or stew, it sounds delicious, Angie, as does roast beef with gravy! You must be a wonderful cook. Both take preparation and skill. Thanks for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
I love, love, love my homemade Mexican food that I use no recipes for, becausexI have none. Taught from when I was a little girl by just watching my Grandmothers or my Mom. My favorite comfort foods would be homemade flour tortillas, and cornmeal /flour mixture tortillas for tostadas and tacos. They fill your home up with such heavenly aromas.
One of my favorite comfort foods is mashed potatoes and homemade meatloaf! With homemade rolls for the side dish.
Oh, those sound divine, Michelle! And homemade rolls? Yum. Plus I love cold meatloaf sandwiches the next day. Thanks for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
My comfort food is mac and cheese with extra cheese……
You are in good company, Sue! The addition of extra cheese couldn’t hurt one bit. Thanks for writing and enter the giveaway!
Kate
I’ve heard comfort foods are a myth, but there are days I want mashed potatoes and chicken strips or some kind of Mexican food that includes refried beans and guacamole.
All the foods you mentioned must bring comfort, Jennifer! Well, they certainly taste delicious. I suppose if a person felt guilty for eating them, they would not find comfort an hour later. I’m feeling happy just thinking about them. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
My comfort food is Chocolate Covered Cherries
Oh, those do sound good, Rebecca. They were my darling aunt’s favorite, and she lived to be 99. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
If I have time and energy to make it, homemade macaroni and cheese. If there isn’t time, just about any type of chocolate. For a meal when there isn’t time, Campbell’s Chicken Noodle (or Double Noodle) Soup.
It sounds like you have many ways to comfort yourself, Debora! All tasty. I need to ask a doctor if chicken noodle soup really does make the patient better. Sure worked on my kids. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Banana Pudding
Anything chocolate for me !
I’m a big fan of chocolate too, Beverly! Morning, noon, or night. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Banana pudding sounds scrumptious, Debbie! Thanks for leaving a comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
My comfort food is mac and cheese and mashed potatoes.
May you be comforted often, Hannah! Both seem to be popular choices. I just asked my mother-in-law about her favorite dish to cook that her husband loved, and she said homemade macaroni and cheese. I’ll have to get her recipe. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
homemadenoodles and fried chicken
That sounds delicious, Patti! I’ve never made homemade noodles; I don’t think my mother did either, so I’ll blame it on her. Just kidding as my mom was a fabulous cook. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
My favorite comfort food is smashed potatoes and my husbands favorite comfort foods are tapioca pudding and ice cream
Got to love those potatoes, Tina! Mashed or smashed. I haven’t thought about tapioca pudding in a while, but I surely do love it. Thank you for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
Potato soup and Custard are my go-to foods when I am sick.
Blessings,
Connie
I guess it wouldn’t matter what kind of sick you were, Connie, potato soup and/or custard (YUM!) would do the trick. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
potato salad and homemade banana pudding 🙂
Oh, those both sound delicious, Loretta! Whenever I see either, I jump right in. Thanks for leaving your tantalizing comment. Good luck in the giveaway!
My two favorite comfort foods are fried chicken and baked potatoes.
Two excellent choices, Linda! For protein, I eat more chicken than anything else. You’ve reminded me that I need to bake more potatoes. Thanks for leaving a comment. Good luck in the giveaway!
Fried chicken
Fried chicken always sounds good to me, Linda! I can’t help wondering if yours is deep fried … Yum! Thanks for leaving a comment and good luck in the giveaway!
Campbell’s tomato soup!
Campbell’s tomato soup is still the best, Phyllis! I grew up with it too. Even the thought of it brings fond memories to mind. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Things my mom and gmas used to make:
Meatloaf, fried chicken, spaghetti, chili, potato soup with rivvals, homemade bread, and anything chocolate!!!!
There are probably more. 😉
Your mom and grandma’s knew how to cook, Ann! Your comment helps prove the theory that what we grow up with becomes our comfort food. I could make myself mighty comfortable with that array of delectable. Yummy! Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Cheesecake with strawberries
Oh, that does sound divine, Joan! I bet I’d be comforted by cheesecake and strawberries. Thanks for leaving a comment and entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Comfort food??? Let’s see…..PIZZA,BROWNIES, AND CHOCOLATE. Did I mention CHOCOLATE?, and chocolate, and chocolate and chocolate……. That about sums it up !
Even though one of the studies stated comfort foods really don’t comfort people, I don’t believe it, Rita! Chocolate has magic qualities. That’s why I feel so good right now. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
My comfort food is warm chocolate chips cookies.
anything chocolate or carmel is what i go for
Chocolate and caramel is a combination I can’t resist, Kathy! Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
It’s hard to beat warm chocolate chip cookies, Christine! I’ve heard from a realtor that setting a plate of freshly cooked chocolate chip cookies out on a counter is a sure way to sell a house. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Homemade Mac & Cheese and Southern Fried Chicken!!!
I noticed the word Homemade so I figure it’s beyond tasty, Margie! Your lucky family. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Anything chocolate is the only way to comfort in my estimation. Something about chocolate just mellows me and takes me away to some peaceful plateau! Love that bag, buy the way, Kate!
A friend once told me that chocolate has ingredients that make people feel better, Nancee! Hey, I believed her, because I consider it a food group, but for fun just looked it up: http://www.sharecare.com/health/emotional-health/why-eating-chocolate-feel-good
Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Potato soup and cornbread is a good comfort food… 🙂
Potato soup and cornbread sound comforting, Janice! In fact, I wish they were sitting in front of me right now. I just figured out what’s wrong with this contest: I should have asked everyone to send me a sample of their comfort food. LOL. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love a grilled cheese and a hot bowl of tomato soup!
Grilled cheese and tomato soup go hand in hand, Sharon! My mother fixed them for me and then I did the same for our sons. I can almost taste how good they are together. Thanks for entering the contest!
Kate