How to Eat Healthy Comfort Foods

Comfort eating is a sure way to ruin any diet and the stress of a weight loss plan often creates an urge for our favorite foods. To keep from sabotaging your diet with comfort foods, choose healthy options when craving that slice of meat loaf or apple pie.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Keep unhealthy snacks out of sight. Avoid having unhealthy comfort foods like chips and candy in the house and if you do, put them somewhere where you won't think of them frequently. Keep fruits and nuts out for easy access so you'll snack healthy instead.
2. Eat healthy versions of the foods you crave. Everyone has a different favorite food to fall back on in times of stress, but find the most healthy version of that food when you crave it. If it's popcorn you want, eat it unsalted and unbuttered or with healthy butter alternatives. If you want ice cream, eat frozen yogurt or sorbet instead.
3. Understand what makes a comfort food. Creamy foods are comfort foods, so look for something like yogurt or milk. Warm foods are also comforting, so warm up some oatmeal or drink a cup of tea. Antioxidants can be comforting, so have some strawberries or a small amount of dark chocolate covered raisins.
4. When you can, replace comfort eating with other comfort activities. Indulge yourself in other ways like watching a movie, taking a bath or even shopping. Do something active, the endorphins released when you exercise are also comforting.
5. Eat a balanced diet with plenty of nutrients. If you are vitamin or mineral deficient your body may respond by craving certain foods, so eliminate cravings by filling your diet with vitamin-rich foods or taking a supplement.

Tips & Warnings

• Be open minded about new comfort foods and healthy alternatives to old ones. You might just find a new favorite food while experimenting with natural sweets and baked rather than fried recipes.
• Even healthy eating can be excessive, so don't rely solely on food to comfort you. Use comfort foods sparingly and allow yourself to be comforted by other means.