When you’re hurting from grief, it can be hard to get through the day. But food doesn’t have to be an enemy in this situation. Food is fuel for your body, and as such, it can help you heal. best comfort foods for grief
Grief doesn’t just impact your emotions; it also impacts your appetite. Some days, you might not feel like eating much at all. Other days, you might feel as though you could eat a whole house. Fortunately, there are plenty of foods that can help with the grieving process, so long as you know which ones to reach for in times of need.
Based on what is currently understood about how the body and mind cope with grief, there are certain types of food that are better than others when dealing with this kind of stressor. These foods will help reduce stress and anxiety while simultaneously increasing serotonin levels — which helps give a person that feeling of contentment and relaxation that is often so difficult to achieve after a loss.
In this article, we will take a look at some of my favorite comfort foods for grief.
Foods That Help Produce Serotonin
Of all the chemicals that are released during the grieving process, serotonin is by far the most important. It’s this chemical that is responsible for feelings of being relaxed, happy, and satisfied. This is why eating foods that help increase serotonin is so important when dealing with grief. Luckily, there are plenty of foods that do exactly this.
Pumpkin (my big favorite) is an excellent example of a food that can help raise serotonin levels and is especially great at helping to manage stress and anxiety. Other foods that can help increase serotonin include:
- Protein-rich foods, such as fish, chicken, and legumes.
- Healthy fats like avocados and nuts.
- Fruits like bananas and blueberries.
- Whole grains like quinoa and brown rice.
- Tea or coffee without added sweeteners.
- Dark chocolate (in moderation).
Comforting Proteins
One of the best ways to soothe sorrow and anxiety is to consume foods rich in protein. This is because the protein in food helps to release dopamine — a chemical that makes you feel relaxed and happy. Protein is also great for helping you to feel full and energized when you might not otherwise, which is important for those that are struggling with appetite issues.
Overall, it is an incredibly comforting macronutrient, and there are plenty of different sources to choose from. One of the best sources of protein to eat while in the midst of grief is fish. Salmon in particular is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and is also very high in protein. It’s also easy to cook, making it a great option for anyone that feels like they’re struggling to cope with the day-to-day. Other protein-rich foods include eggs, cottage cheese, and broccoli. And if you are a fan of protein supplements, make yourself a protein shake or protein pancakes.
A Comforting Bowl of Pasta
Although it’s not something that you probably think of when you imagine comforting foods, there is evidence to suggest that eating a bowl of pasta while grieving can actually help to reduce stress and anxiety. Why? The main reason is that carbohydrate-rich foods, such as pasta, are capable of boosting serotonin levels. This means that eating a bowl of pasta can help significantly reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, making it a great food for anyone that is currently grieving. Moreover, I know only a small number of people who can say “no” to pasta.
It’s important to note that not all types of pasta are created equally. For example, whole-wheat pasta is a much better choice than white pasta, as it is higher in fiber and is more nutritious overall. Eating a bowl of pasta is also great because it is extremely easy to prepare, and you can even throw in some vegetables to make it more nutritious. Overall, it’s the perfect meal to eat when you don’t feel like cooking or dealing with any kind of stress.
A Scoop of Ice Cream
When people are grieving, one of their main goals is often to find an activity that will make them feel as happy as possible. And yet, it can be incredibly difficult for some people to find a way to feel happy again when they are in the middle of a stressful situation. This is where a scoop of ice cream can come in extremely useful. At least for me personally.
With a scoop of ice cream, you don’t need to go out of your way to find a way to make yourself happy. You can simply go to the freezer and eat a delicious, creamy scoop of ice cream. And while eating ice cream is not a particularly healthy way to feel happy, it’s often the only thing that will work in certain situations. And in these situations, it’s important to remember that it’s not the activities that make you happy, that are the most important — it’s the fact that you’ve done something to make yourself happy.
Chocolate In All Forms
You might be thinking that chocolate is not a magical cure for grief and is more likely to help you gain extra pounds than ease your mind. I’m going to stop you here because that’s not entirely true. Chocolate is thought to produce a chemical called phenylethylamine, which can trigger a stimulant effect. This may explain why chocolate can make us feel good, and many people use it to lift their mood or as a pick-me-up. It could be that chocolate’s energizing effects are the result of chemical reactions in the brain and body.
So, chocolate really helps in these difficult situations. And no, if you eat a reasonable amount, you won’t gain weight. After all, whether you gain weight depends on what your caloric intake is, not what you eat. Whether it’s dark, milk, white or hot chocolate, give it a try.
My Final Words
When you are grieving, it can be tough to find the energy or motivation to cook a proper meal, let alone find a way to make it comforting. This is why it is important to know what foods are best for you in times of stress. Knowing what foods can help to produce serotonin, calm you down, and make you feel full can be extremely beneficial. If you find that you are struggling to cope with grief, try to incorporate some of these foods into your diet and see how you feel.
With the help of these foods, you can significantly improve your mood and drastically reduce feelings of anxiety. And if you’re ever in a situation where you feel like you’re struggling to cope with grief, remember that it’s important to find a way to make yourself happy. Eating a tasty, comforting meal is an easy way to do this, which is why these foods can be so beneficial when grieving.
