As soon as spring hits, I immediately try to switch food gears by ditching all that stick-to-your-ribs winter fare in favor ofsuper light meals instead. It’s a good impulse, but sudden changes like these rarely last more than a week for me. Know what I mean? After that, I find myself feeling hungry for more. So I’ve looked for some greatskinny comfort food recipes that will help me lighten up my menu for spring and summer, while satisfying my cravings for the hearty foods I’ve been feasting the last few months. They’re the perfect way to ease into new, healthier eating habits without sacrificing taste, whether you’re making a seasonal change, or a wholesale move to better habits overall.
Plus, mykids love these comfort foods, too. Always a bonus.
Related: 9 skinny snack foods with all the taste, less of theguilt
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Arguably, Fettuccine Alfredo is up there on the list of most indulgent foods ever, and I love it. Every winter, I can somehow resistmaking ituntil February, when a worry that winter will never end sets in. Then I start making it with abandon. By April I’m thinking, “what have I done to myself?”Thankfully, Ifound a Skinny Fettuccine Alfredo recipeat Gimme Some Oven last year that hits the spot. Think olive oil, chicken broth, and low-fat milk instead of all that heavy cream. It’s a delicious way tocontinue my habit — occasionally. (Heaven knows Ican eat awhole pound of this stuff. Alone.)
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Wile we’re talking creamy, cheesy pasta, Ihave to mention macaroni and cheese. It’s is just as delicious to me as Fettuccine Alfredo, but definitelyone that the kids ask for more often. This Skinny BakedMac and Cheese recipefrom the SkinnyTaste cookbook (one of our favorite family cookbooks of 2014) foundat Chocolate Covered Katie is the perfect dishto whip up for the kids without feeling quite so much guilt, which is so last year, if you ask me. In fact, go ahead and make it once a week, especially if the kids will eat it without a fuss.
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Growing up in New Jersey, I’m a sucker for Italian-American classics, aka foods draped in melted mozzarella. While a taste of home, these dishes can be way over the top—and not always in a good way—which is why I’m loving this Baked Chicken Parmesan(pictured above & top)at Skinny Taste. It has every element that make a great parm dish, all in perfect measure.
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For many, comfort food doesn’t get better than a rich and creamy pot pie. I happen to find most a little heavy, even in the dead of winter, which is why I turn to recipes like this one for Lighter Vegetable Pot Pie at Swanky Recipes. With just 3 tablespoons of butter and 1 cup of milk (you can use reduced fat), this veggie-packed pie is a perfect lightened-up version.
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Long ago, my kids tried their first fish stick at grandma’s house and they were hooked. Unfortunately, not a fan of fish sticks myself, my kids were out of luck once they got home. (What can I say.) Well, eventuallytheir begging workedand acouple of years ago, I gave in and created a recipe for Baked Fish Sticks that you can find at my site, One Hungry Mama. My intention was to come up with a healthy version that I’d like as much as the kids and, lo and behold, it worked. Now, baked fish sticksareon heavy rotation in my house—for the whole family.
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Is it just me, or do you agree that it’s crazy to mention fish sticks withoutalso talking fried chicken? I’m going to assume you’re with me on this, which is why I pulled this recipe for Crispy Baked “Fried” Chicken by the Food Network’s Cat Cora. Um, yum. And thanks to it’s picnicability (yep, I’m calling that a word), this is a skinny comfort food that’s just as perfect for spring cookouts andeasy summer dinners.
Related: 5 healthy chicken nugget recipes, and not just for the kids.
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Last, but not least, I’ve been servingupSkinny Chicken Enchiladasfrom Eat Yourself Skinny. Mexican recipes like these are my favorite kinds to lighten up because there’s still so many great ingredientsto work with. Even a reduced amount of cheese gives big flavor, and it’s easy to bulk up enchiladas and tacos with high protein beans and lean veggies without sacrificing taste. Give these a try and you’ll see just how decadent even skinny enchiladas taste.
Tags: cooking, dinner help, food, healthy living, recipes
FAQs
My go-to comfort food on a rainy day is usually a warm bowl of homemade chicken soup, accompanied by a grilled cheese sandwich. The combination of the warm, comforting soup and the gooey, cheesy sandwich always lifts my spirits and provides a cozy atmosphere.
What is the best comfort food of all time? ›
Our 20 all-time favorite comfort foods
- 1 of 20. Chicken noodle soup. Joshua Resnick / shutterstock.com. ...
- 2 of 20. Chicken pot pie. Charles Brutlag / shutterstock.com. ...
- 3 of 20. Chicken tenders. ...
- 4 of 20. Chili. ...
- 5 of 20. Chocolate chip cookies. ...
- 6 of 20. Cinnamon buns. ...
- 7 of 20. Cornbread. ...
- 8 of 20. Fries.
What makes comfort food comforting? ›
It Tends to Be High in Calories, Sugar, Fat or Salt
From a biological standpoint, there's a reason your body craves more comfort food. When you eat foods high in these components, it triggers the reward system in your brain that's associated with pleasure.
When eating comfort foods what is released slowly into the body to make people feel better? ›
Dopamine tells our body that it can expect a reward. Dopamine can impact our body by improving digestion, blood flow, memory, focus, mood, sleep, and stress management skills. Simply thinking about our comfort food can trigger a dopamine release and begin a cycle of motivation and reward.
What does your go to comfort food mean? ›
If you call something comfort food, you mean it is enjoyable to eat and makes you feel happier, although it may not be very good for your health. For me, spaghetti bolognese is the ultimate comfort food. Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers.
What's your ultimate comfort food? ›
Comfort food is an entirely personal thing. For some people, it's all about the cheesy goodness and hearty carbs of an ooey gooey mac and cheese. And for others, it's more about the rich and meaty dishes like braised short ribs and chili recipes.
What is the number 1 most delicious food in the world? ›
Rendang, Indonesia
Source Often called "the world's most delicious dish," Rendang is prepared by simmering beef with coconut milk with a mixture of the best of spices including turmeric, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, chillies, and galangal.
What is one food that everyone likes? ›
America's Favorite Foods: The 50 Most Popular Foods in America
- Cheese quesadilla.
- Sweet potato fries. ...
- Hummus. ...
- Pizza margherita. Mizina/Getty Images. ...
- Chili. Janna Danilova/Getty Images. ...
- Seaweed salad. Liudmila Chernetska/Getty Images. ...
- Nachos. VeselovaElena/Getty Images. ...
- Sesame chicken. VeselovaElena/Getty Images. ...
What food item brings you comfort or joy? ›
This article discusses eight Indian comfort foods that never fail to bring a smile, including Dal Tadka, Khichdi, Masala Chai, Curd Rice, Gajar Halwa, Biryani, Aloo Paratha, Pav Bhaji, Dosa, Lassi, and Butter Chicken.
What comfort food helps when feeling sad? ›
Comfort foods, the study found, actually do make us feel less sad. So what were the top seven items on my poll? Mac and cheese hit the No. 1 spot, followed by beef stew, apple pie and ice cream, chicken and dumplings/chicken pot pie, meatloaf with mashed potatoes, bread pudding and fried chicken.
12 Mood-Boosting Foods: Eat Your Way to Happiness!
- Dark chocolate. Rich in flavonoids, dark chocolate has been linked to increased serotonin levels which may help alleviate symptoms of depression. ...
- Bananas. ...
- Berries. ...
- Oily fish. ...
- Nuts and seeds. ...
- Oats. ...
- Spinach. ...
- Avocados.
What foods help anxiety and depression? ›
Foods naturally rich in magnesium may, therefore, help a person to feel calmer. Examples include leafy greens, such as spinach and Swiss chard. Other sources include legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Foods rich in zinc such as oysters, cashews, liver, beef, and egg yolks have been linked to lowered anxiety.
What are comfort foods for anxiety? ›
Consuming the following foods may help reduce anxiety in some people.
- Fatty fish. Fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout, and herring, are high in omega-3s. ...
- Eggs. ...
- Pumpkin seeds. ...
- Dark chocolate. ...
- Turmeric. ...
- Chamomile. ...
- Yogurt. ...
- Green tea.
What foods increase happiness? ›
Fruit, veg and wholegrains
All vegetables and many fruits contain complex carbohydrates. These are important for stabilising your mood, as they release sugar into your body slowly. Other sources of complex carbs include wholemeal bread, brown rice, whole grain pasta, beans, pulses and oats.
What is your goal to comfort food? ›
1. Boosting your emotional well-being: As mentioned before, comfort foods are frequently linked to positive emotions and cherished memories. Consuming them can evoke sentiments of nostalgia, coziness, and happiness. Enjoying comfort foods can elevate your mood and offer emotional solace during difficult times.
What is your go to food meaning? ›
Defined as food that gives emotional comfort to the one eating it, these tend to be favorite foods of childhood, or linked to a person, place or time with which the food has a positive association.
Why do people say comfort food? ›
Many individuals rely on comfort foods when they're depressed, anxious, or simply in need of a little mood boost. Comfort foods can evoke coziness and comfort as they are frequently linked to carefree memories.