What is it about comfort food that makes it go down so easy? What is the secret formula that makes comfort food so attractive to the family that there are rarely any leftovers when it is served?
Some feel that comfort food satisfies so well because its time-tested taste makes you nostalgic about home or loved ones. Often prepared simply, comfort foods are a great recipe go-to when you are strapped for time but want your family to eat a good home cooked meal. Others say comfort food is appealing because it is full of carbohydrates and has that “stick to your ribs” feel. It’s true that many comfort food recipes pack on the calories and carbs that many of us want to avoid if possible.
Lighten Up
While there are some positive nourishing aspects of comfort foods, there is some room for improvement in providing balanced nutrition. One way to do this is to lighten up traditional comfort food recipes with ingredients that lower the fat, salt, and calorie content. This meatloaf recipe takes your traditional meatloaf and lightens it up with some turkey. An antioxidant rich cranberry glaze adds nutrition. Even with a homemade glaze this recipe is true to the simply prepared comfort food definition as it takes just ten minutes to prep before sliding into the oven.
Another comfort food classic that can be lightened up is macaroni and cheese. Using lighter low fat ingredients along with whole wheat noodles keeps the savory taste while making it healthier.
Add a Secret Ingredient
Adding a “secret” ingredient to comfort foods is another way to pack more vitamins into your kids’ meals. You can finely grate zucchini and use it mixed with ground beef and spices in a hamburger patty. The meaty texture of mushrooms when finely sliced and cooked mixed with ground beef is worth a try in your spaghetti sauce. Adding one half cup pumpkin puree to pizza sauce adds beta carotene and increased fiber.
Applesauce and mashed up banana can be used in waffle, pancake, and cookie batter. Beware though that hiding vegetables and fruits is a technique that can backfire. If you have a child that is extremely perceptive about add on ingredients in their food you may be found out quite easily.
The Ultimate Comfort Food Made Healthier
Most people consider chicken noodle soup as the ultimate comfort food. It is known to help ease the suffering of those with a cold, flu, or a bad breakup. In reality, chicken soup is quite healthy on its own. There is chicken, vegetables, and just the right amount of carbohydrates in the form of noodles. The aromatic steam coming up from a bowl of hot chicken noodle soup can open up sinuses and warm hearts. This soup is already healthy in general, but it can be made so much better.
Chicken noodle soup broth runs the risk of being loaded with added fats, MSG, salts, flavorings, preservatives, and colorings. Au Bon Broth you have a nutritious and wonderfully tasty soup base that is free of any additives. It is packed with vitamins, and minerals and is free of gluten, dairy, and soy. This broth is slow simmered with onion, carrot, celery, herbs, peppercorns, and garlic. You get a gourmet addition to your soup without all the hard work! Try adding it to your rice or mashed potatoes to make them even more nutrient packed.
Add Value
Look for ways that you can add value to your family’s comfort food favorites. In addition to adding healthful bone broth to recipes, check out other ingredients in your family’s comfort food repertoire that can be optimized for better health. Is there a spaghetti sauce that you can buy that has less salt and more vitamin content? Dairy based ingredients without fillers will satisfy without adding unnecessary carbohydrates. Sources of meat raised without antibiotics are a healthful choice for comfort food staples.
Comfort foods are a winner when it comes to feeding your family with something that you know that they will not only eat, but will also get excited about when they know you are making it for dinner. Another plus about comfort foods is it reduces the chance of picky eaters at your table. By using healthy ingredients in your comfort food recipes, you maintain their appeal as well as increase their nutrition.
