We often turn to comfort foods in times of stress.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (51327)
October 1, 2025 4:10pm CST
At least, here in the Midwest, we seem to.
When the chips are down, someone is feeling badly, you are nostalgic, we sometimes turn to foods that seem to make us feel better. Often, these foods are simple, and we expect them to have a certain flavor that we recall from our childhood, or that reminds us of someone we loved. Comfort foods are a kind of pick-me-up, that lift our spirits and make us feel good.
Comfort foods in my home have changed some over the years. When I was a young girl, many foods were fried. That frying pan was on the stove for something, for every meal a person fixed. Most people in the US do not fry very much food anymore. But some fried foods are still popular--fried chicken, fried potatoes, bacon, ham, sausage...most people still enjoy these things, but not nearly as often as they used to.
I have my own favorites, and I know my children and grandchildren have favorite comfort foods as well. Meat loaf and mashed potatoes, homemade noodles with chicken, pot roast with potatoes, carrots, onions, and tons of gravy (except now we need a bank loan to get a pot roast!) macaroni and cheese, chili, potato soup...the list goes on and on. The son will occasionally ask to have a meal I consider a comfort food. There are comfort desserts as well--warm apple pie, chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, spice cake, homemade cinnamon rolls...again, these lists are mostly Midwest favorites, I know that many areas of our country have different favorites. My New England cousins consider clam or seafood chowder the ultimate comfort food--but it's made with fresh seafood, which is hard to come by where I live.
At the present time, the son isn't feeling that well. He had a medicine change and some things don't sound good to him today. He asked for homemade chicken soup. It's currently cooking for our dinner this evening. 
Do you have favorite comfort foods? I am curious to know, maybe I will try something new!
According to Wikipedia, the term ''comfort food'' has been around since at least 1615!
Do you have favorite comfort foods? I am curious to know, maybe I will try something new!
According to Wikipedia, the term ''comfort food'' has been around since at least 1615!https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comfort_food
17 people like this
15 responses
@AmbiePam (107029)
• United States
1 Oct
When I was so sick I just went to the hospital and home, my mom would make fried chicken and fried potatoes at my request. Hers were just so good. Of course, no one should eat like that a lot, but once a month back then she would makes them for me. Right now, fried potatoes sound so good.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
•
1 Oct
I wish you were closer, Amber. I would be so happy to make fried potatoes for you! (But you would have to share...we love them, too!) And yes, I have a gigantic skillet handy!
3 people like this
@reploid (1571)
• France
2 Oct
This is such a warm and relatable discussion You're absolutely right about how these foods connect us to our past and provide a sense of security. Your point about regional differences is so true too—what comforts someone in New England might be completely different from Midwest favorites!
That homemade chicken soup for your son sounds absolutely perfect. There's something truly healing about it. For me, a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup is my ultimate go-to comfort meal. It always takes me right back to my childhood.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful topic—it's making me hungry in the best way possible! 
You're absolutely right about how these foods connect us to our past and provide a sense of security. Your point about regional differences is so true too—what comforts someone in New England might be completely different from Midwest favorites!
That homemade chicken soup for your son sounds absolutely perfect. There's something truly healing about it. For me, a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup is my ultimate go-to comfort meal. It always takes me right back to my childhood.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful topic—it's making me hungry in the best way possible! 
@reploid (1571)
• France
3 Oct
@MarieCoyle It really is the perfect cold-weather combo, isn't it? So glad you enjoyed the discussion!
So glad you enjoyed the discussion!@MarieCoyle (51327)
•
3 Oct
@reploid
I am one of those weird people that like soup anytime of the year, winter or summer. Here in the US, chili is considered to just be a winter food. We can't seem to go the whole summer without making chili here, we really love it.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
•
2 Oct
@reploid
We love tomato soup and grilled cheese, too. It seems especially good on a cold day.
Thank you for the nice words, much appreciated.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (166589)
• United States
2 Oct
Mashed potatoes, good bread. Lots of butter. All things I need to not eat.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
•
2 Oct
I can relate to that!! I love mashed potatoes but I have to limit myself to one small serving.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (487801)
• Italy
2 Oct
I think it's the same in many parts of the world. When we feel down, or we are sick, we turn to comfort food. I am reading the list that Wikipedia gives for Italy and it's totally wrong!
Nutella is a recent product and it has never considered a "comfort food" but a "garbage food".
Nutella is a recent product and it has never considered a "comfort food" but a "garbage food".3 people like this
@LadyDuck (487801)
• Italy
2 Oct
@MarieCoyle - Nutella is palm oil for at least a third of its content another third is sugar, only 7% is chocolate!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
•
2 Oct
I am not impressed with Nutella. A few years ago I tried it at a friends house. Then I read the ingredients, etc. I haven’t purchased any and I don’t plan to.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
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2 Oct
@LadyDuck
I know, it’s crazy. It’s a lot healthier to just eat regular peanut butter. I try hard to avoid any palm oil at all.
2 people like this
@noni1959 (11193)
• United States
2 Oct
@MarieCoyle Me too! My mom made it from scratch.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
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2 Oct
@noni1959
I have had apricot cobblers, but not ever made a pie with them. They are delicious just eating them fresh, I love them.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
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2 Oct
Carbs are good comfort food, I have to admit to loving them. I just have to limit them!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (206760)
• United States
3 Oct
I'm sorry your son isn't feeling well. A good bowl of hearty soup or a grilled cheese sandwich is comfort food to me.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (206760)
• United States
4 Oct
@MarieCoyle You are such a considerate mother.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
•
6 Oct
@LindaOHio
I just try to do for the kids when I can. They help me when they can, and they worry about me. So I try to behave myself, haha!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
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3 Oct
Luckily, I passed my love of homemade soups to my kids. They always eat it. Son's very favorite is chili, but he loves vegetable soup as well. When I make soups, I try to always freeze some small containers to reheat for fast meals when needed. He loves that option.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (199180)
• United States
1 Oct
I love meatloaf..I also enjoy Italian food, pancakes, mashed potatoes etc. I hope son feels better.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
•
1 Oct
I love meatloaf, too. We do like some Italian dishes, and my kids love mashed potatoes, etc.
Thanks, I hope he does, too.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (182311)
• Boise, Idaho
2 Oct
Even though the fried version is so good many have opted to be more health conscious. It think the flavor of fried food is just something you can't beat. The foods you list, especially the meat loaf and homemade noodles are delicious. Very comfy as I see it.
Homemade is always so good. I sure miss the home-made meals I had at my grandparent's home when I was young. Everything was made from scratch. I have many comfort foods. Salmon is probably way up on my list. Potatoes made most any way are so good. Sherbert when I'm sick.
Homemade is always so good. I sure miss the home-made meals I had at my grandparent's home when I was young. Everything was made from scratch. I have many comfort foods. Salmon is probably way up on my list. Potatoes made most any way are so good. Sherbert when I'm sick.1 person likes this
@celticeagle (182311)
• Boise, Idaho
5 Oct
@MarieCoyle .......I think there is a difference in taste of some things.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
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6 Oct
@celticeagle
Most definitely, there is a big difference.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
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2 Oct
I just don't fry very much anymore. Yes, it's delicious but I have adapted over the years and I don't really miss it. We do fry foods sometimes.
I was taught to cook without prepared foods, nothing in boxes, etc. So that seems more than normal to me. I love salmon and potatoes, too.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (80482)
• United States
1 Oct
For a long time food was my comfort food. That’s why I needed to lose 60 pounds. These days, fruit seems to do well…it has the sugar content but it’s natural sugar.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
•
1 Oct
My comfort foods have changed a lot since I dumped all of that weight, too. I lean to soup, vegetable dishes, and such, and I eat a lot more fruit than I used to. But the kids...they still love comfort food.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
•
11 Oct
I love ice cream, but don't have it often. When I do, it's a treat for sure.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (38956)
• Toccoa, Georgia
2 Oct
My favorite comfort food is macaroni and cheese.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
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2 Oct
That seems to be a very popular favorite comfort food. My kids loved it growing up, and they still do.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (125434)
• Marion, Ohio
1 Oct
Home made chicken and noodles are a favorite
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
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1 Oct
My kids and grands love homemade chicken and noodles. Often if I travel to visit the Florida family, I am requested to bring some dried homemade noodles in my suitcase. And yes, I have done that many times in the past! Have noodles, will travel!
2 people like this
@sallypup (66851)
• Centralia, Washington
1 Oct
A simple hot bean burrito is where I am right now. I love locally produced bacon but I've cut way back on eating animal products- fancy way of saying meat, I guess. My Mom made a mean goulash when I was a kid. Her doughnuts were known to every member of the family- great grandkids on up.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
•
1 Oct
Oh, my kids all love what they call ''Grandma's Goulash'' which I learned to make from both of my grandmothers. I rarely eat any kind of bacon, only in the summer when the first fresh tomatoes appear, I want to have a BLT or two. Then I am done with bacon until the next home grown tomato season!
2 people like this
@Traceyjayne (6727)
• United Kingdom
2 Oct
I like mince and onions…..mince beef ( ground beef ), with sliced onions in gravy ….boil then simmer half an hour … delicious with creamy mashed potatoes.
A bowl of custard
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
•
2 Oct
That sounds really good and a nice choice of comfort food!
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (91167)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
1 Oct
You are such a good mom. My mom made chicken soup with chicken wings and I just loved eating those wings along with the soup, I am getting some of my comfort food in frozen form when I order my groceries on Saturday some frozen lasagna and frozen meatloaf,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51327)
•
1 Oct
Chicken soup is pretty easy, as long as a person has some good broth to work with. I made this broth from today from a baked chicken--we had eaten the chicken the day I baked it, I picked off all the meat and froze it. Then I boiled the carcass and strained that, and that's my broth. And I got some of the chicken out of the freezer for the soup. It also has celery, a couple of chopped carrots, and a diced onion in it, among other spices. I will add the noodles at the end.
I am glad you are having some lasagna and meat loaf. Sounds good to me!
2 people like this
