14 July 2025

It's National Mac & Cheese Day...what's your definition of comfort food?

Merriam Webster defines comfort food as “food prepared in a traditional style having a usually nostalgic or sentimental appeal.” Cambridge says it’s “the type of food that people eat when they are sad or worried, often sweet food or food that people ate as children” (I’m imagining that scene in Ratatouille where Anton Ego takes a bite and is transported back to his childhood). Maybe it’s a distraction, designed to take your mind off your worries and make you feel better.

From this perspective, it seems odd that many people equate comfort food with junk food. It doesn’t need to be unhealthy (ratatouille certainly was not). Many of today’s “comfort foods” did not even exist when I was a child. And you only have to look at skyrocketing sales of proton pump inhibitors (e.g. Prilosec) and rates of heart disease to realize that many of these so-called “comfort foods” do the opposite!

I’m not blaming this entirely on the food - there are lots of genetic and environmental factors that impact how we experience our food. And that’s before you even consider the marketing - direct advertising, subliminal messages and a whole new profession that literally brags about being “influencers”.

But it’s clear that the foods we are choosing these days are not all that great for our health nor the planet. 1.7 million people died in the US in 2023 (most recent data from CDC) from diseases that are [at least partially] preventable through lifestyle factors, including food choice. Food production - driven by inefficient systems like animal agriculture, highly processed foods and food waste - is estimated to contribute a third of all greenhouse gas emissions. The food system has changed, and our understanding of nutrition has expanded.

I enjoy transforming traditional comfort foods like pizza and burgers into something more nutritious. And also, it’s more than ok to consume the foods you really like even if they are not super healthy (I call them once-in-a-while foods - the less frequently you have them, the more you enjoy them). But I sometimes catch myself reaching for something that’s less than ideal, a food that doesn’t actually make me feel better, physically or mentally. I have to remember to stop and think!

Consumed mindfully, comfort foods can recall happy memories, create social connections and nourish body and mind. If we’re lucky, a food will do all three.

Since it’s National Macaroni and Cheese Day, I wanted to share some of my ideas for making this all-American dish more comforting. The simplest is (of course!) adding veggies; whether your making it from scratch or using the familiar blue box, throwing in some fresh broccoli or frozen mixed veg is going to improve the quality of your meal. Blending roasted butternut squash into the sauce - in place of some of the cheese - decreases saturated fat and caloric density, but also adds a touch of sweetness, depth of flavor, antioxidants and fiber. Did you know you can even make a delicious vegan cheese sauce from carrots and potatoes?

If you’re a recipe person, reach out for my full handout of the cheesiest plant based mac & cheese ideas. Comment below, email me, or DM me on socials.

Also please share what comfort meal you’d like me to healthify! I’m up for any challenge (even if my husband doesn’t always appreciate every experiment). Watch me transform your delicious dish on Instagram!