Warm And Comforting – These Are The Top 5 Fall Comfort Foods People Are Searching
The official first day of Fall was September 23rd. But in the Georgia and South Carolina area, that doesn’t always mean it feels like Fall! There have been many years…
The official first day of Fall was September 23rd. But in the Georgia and South Carolina area, that doesn't always mean it feels like Fall! There have been many years where temperatures stay in the 70s and 80s way longer than you might expect. Once that chill is finally in the air, that's when we start thinking about comfort foods.
What Are Comfort Foods?
Comfort foods aren't just reserved for the Fall and Winter seasons. This is food that can feel nostalgic and boost your mood. It might be food that remind you of childhood or that just give you a feeling of safety and comfort when you're sad or stressed. And it could just be your favorite food!
According to GoldBelly, this is the food you reach for when you're feeling down or have a stressful day. And they are often high in fatty acids, carbs, and/or sugar. The foods can be mood-boosting and trigger the brain's reward system and pleasure centers. Of course, food can't make our stress and issues go away, but it can give us a slight, short-term boost.
Comfort foods are often easy to prepare and easily accessible. But they can vary from person to person. We all have our preference for our top choices. Some people prefer something sweet, others lean toward something salty. And carbs are probably the most common like bread, pasta, and pastries.
Fall Foods
While comfort foods aren't reserved for any particular season, when that chill rolls in, that's often when we start craving warm, comforting food. And it seems the slightly cooler temperatures have led to quite a few searches for fall comfort food lately.
Google has compiled the top 5 searches for fall comfort foods from the past 30 days in the United States. Let's take a look at those. Did your favorite make the list?
5. Chili
Chili is something I can only enjoy once it gets cold outside. It doesn't feel right to eat it when the temperatures are still in the 80s. There are a variety of ways people enjoy their chili. Some top it with cheese. And some people top it with sour cream. You can add in things too, like crackers or Fritos.
4. Butternut Squash Soup
This isn't a soup I've ever had, and honestly, I don't feel like I'm missing out. But then again, I'm pretty picky. This is the 4th top searched Fall comfort food though. From most of the recipes I've seen, it has spices that definitely make it more of a Fall food.
3. Beef Stroganoff
I don't know that I've ever had beef stroganoff. But I can definitely see why it would be searched for in the Fall. The combination of beef and pasta seems like a recipe that would definitely warm you up.
2. Beef Stew
Another warm, comforting meal that seems easy enough to make. And if it's something you can make in the Crockpot, even better! There's nothing like letting a meal simmer in the slow cooker all day and that comforting aroma filling the air!
1. Mac N Cheese
This is my year-round comfort food. There's just something about that creamy, cheesy goodness that warms you from the inside out. This is one that can be both nostalgic, and just overall a favorite food too!
I found a recipe not too long ago that I can make in the quick cooker, and it's been a hit every time I cook it. And it's SO easy!
