Top 5 Comfort Foods To Get You Through The Day

What comes to mind when you think of “comfort food?” For many Americans, it conjures up thoughts of burgers, ice cream, fried chicken, French fries, or chili. Yummy foods are favored for an obvious reason — the flavor. But research done by psychology professor Shira Gabriel links comfort food preferences to a positive connection with the person who made it for you, often during childhood. That association is one reason why people seek out specific foods when they’re feeling down — even if they’re not especially hungry. Foods that we enjoy can release natural chemicals (like serotonin) that have the ability to elevate mood. Most comfort foods are high in some combination of fat, sugar, calories or carbs, and low in nutritional value, but we aren’t here to judge. Here are the top five comfort foods to get you through your day.