The Scientific Truth About Why We Still Crave These Foods
Something magical happens in our brains when we smell that familiar aroma of chicken nuggets frying or catch a whiff of melting cheese on bread. We were concerned with the link between nostalgia and comfort in food experiences, and recent research from 2025 reveals why these childhood favorites still hold such power over us. Foods remembered from childhood – like comfort foods – are potent producers of nostalgia, and their consumption increases feelings of wellbeing and provides psychological comfort.
The connection runs deeper than simple taste memories. Food-evoked nostalgia can be very powerful because it engages multiple senses: taste, smell, texture, sight and sound. The sense of smell is closely linked to the limbic system in the brain responsible for emotion and memory making food-related memories particularly vivid and emotionally charged. This isn’t just psychology either – nostalgia alters activity in the brain regions associated with reward processing – the same areas involved when we seek and receive things we like.
Mac and Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Classic
Let’s start with the undisputed champion of comfort foods. Mac and cheese isn’t just pasta with dairy – it’s a warm hug in a bowl. That means classic dishes like chicken spaghetti, pepperoni pizza rolls, and mac and cheese consistently rank among top kid-friendly foods. What makes this dish special is its perfect balance of creamy texture and familiar flavors that transport us back to simpler times.
Modern versions are getting creative without losing their soul. Operators can opt for comfort food favorites such as a Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese or put a global spin on the ingredient through dishes like a Teriyaki Chicken Noodle Bowl. The beauty of mac and cheese lies in its adaptability – you can dress it up with truffle oil for dinner parties or keep it simple with just butter and milk when you need that pure comfort fix. Score and scoop out zucchini pulp, chop, and cook it down with spices into a cream sauce, then incorporate it into good ol’ kid-approved mac & cheese shows how even this classic can sneak in some vegetables.
Grilled Cheese: The Perfect Golden Sandwich
There’s something almost therapeutic about the sizzle of butter in a hot pan, followed by that satisfying crunch when you bite into perfectly golden bread. Grilled cheese represents pure comfort – it’s simple, reliable, and never fails to deliver that childhood satisfaction. The combination of crispy exterior and gooey cheese interior creates a texture contrast that our brains find deeply rewarding.
Today’s grilled cheese has evolved far beyond basic white bread and American cheese. I give grilled cheese a special treatment by using slices of mozzarella cheese and adding delicious extras like pepperoni and fresh tomatoes. Dipped in warm pizza sauce, this will be a fast favorite! The key is maintaining that essential comfort while exploring new flavor combinations. Whether you stick with the classic or venture into brie and fig territory, grilled cheese remains a reliable friend on difficult days.
Chicken Nuggets: The Protein That Never Grows Old
Despite their reputation, chicken nuggets aren’t necessarily the nutritional villains they’re made out to be. This doesn’t make nuggets BAD, by the way! 11 grams of protein in a meal is plenty for a child. The key lies in what you pair them with and which brands you choose. If you’re serving chicken nuggets with french fries and a McFlurry- well, that meal is going to have an extremely different nutritional content than if you’re serving chicken nuggets with a side of fruit and a glass of milk. WHAT you serve it with matters!
Chick-fil-A offers 5-count Grilled Nuggets, a small fruit cup, and milk, totaling just 250 calories, proving that nuggets can fit into a balanced meal. Like their OG Applegate chicken nuggets, their gluten-free option is just as healthy and delicious as the company’s original organic chicken nuggets – without the gluten! So for those with sensitivities and allergies, this is a go-to brand to ensure that you won’t suffer any unwelcome side effects after indulging. The satisfaction of biting into a crispy nugget remains unchanged from childhood, but now we can make smarter choices about preparation and sides.
Peanut Butter and Jelly: The Timeless Duo
PB&J sandwiches are nutritional powerhouses disguised as simple comfort food. The better choice: PB & J. Two tablespoons of any kind of peanut butter provides about eight grams of protein. And peanut butter is a great source of monounsaturated fats, which help increase good-cholesterol levels and protect against heart disease. This childhood staple actually beats many “adult” lunch options in terms of balanced nutrition.
The beauty of PB&J lies in its simplicity and reliability. Is there *any* food more quintessential to being a kid than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Take two slices of bread, slather two ingredients on them, and – boom! – you’ve got yourself a downright delicacy in two minutes flat. This particular take on the classic requires a tiny bit more time, but we’re gonna go out on a limb and say it’s worth each additional minute (and then some). Modern variations include almond butter alternatives and sugar-free jellies, but the core comfort remains untouched. Even though peanut butter is a healthy choice, it still has 16 grams of fat a serving. Spread it sparingly and, ideally, on whole-wheat bread.
Pizza: The Universal Comfort Food
Pizza transcends age groups like no other comfort food. We don’t need to convince anyone that pizza is a childhood staple, but it’s an adult staple, too. And this one? This one is a flavor bomb in your mouth. Go forth, make it, enjoy. Whether it’s frozen, homemade, or delivered, pizza connects us to countless childhood memories – birthday parties, sleepovers, family movie nights.
The genius of pizza lies in its endless adaptability while maintaining its core identity. Ready in just 15 minutes, this versatile recipe is perfect for quick lunches or easy dinners. The customizable bagels start with a base of asiago or any savory bagel, topped with marinara, melty mozzarella, and crispy pepperoni. For an elevated twist, try prosciutto with fig preserves and balsamic glaze. Get the Pizza Bagels recipe. From simple cheese to gourmet toppings, pizza allows us to stay connected to childhood simplicity while exploring sophisticated flavors. The familiar combination of bread, sauce, and cheese provides comfort while toppings let us express our evolved tastes.
Ice Cream: The Sweet Escape That Never Gets Old
Ice cream represents pure joy in frozen form. The delicacies that came out of our team’s collective freezers in our childhood summers ran the gamut from freezies (of course…a staple) to bomb pops to push pops. One of the most prized treats of all was the ice cream sandwich. There’s something deeply satisfying about that cold, creamy texture that immediately transports us back to summer days and birthday celebrations.
Ice cream pizza takes dessert to a whole new level. A cookie or brownie base serves as the “crust,” while scoops of ice cream act as the toppings. Creative variations include sauces like caramel or chocolate drizzle and extras like sprinkles, nuts, and fresh fruit. Modern ice cream culture has exploded with artisanal flavors and dietary alternatives, but the core pleasure remains unchanged. Whether you’re dealing with a breakup or celebrating a promotion, ice cream provides that immediate emotional comfort that no other dessert quite matches.
Cookies: The Handheld Happiness
Cookies occupy a special place in our comfort food hierarchy because they’re both treat and memory trigger. These cookies are chewy, peanut buttery perfection with just the right amount of sweetness. Whether you make them for a cookie swap or a cozy weekend treat, you might find yourself keeping the whole batch for yourself. These cookies are chewy, peanut buttery perfection. The act of baking cookies fills our homes with aromas that immediately signal comfort and care.
What makes cookies particularly special is their association with love and nurturing. The s’more flavors in these fun muffins with marshmallow creme in the middle are sure to bring back fond childhood memories. – Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan. From chocolate chip to oatmeal raisin, each variety carries its own emotional payload. The simple act of dunking a cookie in milk connects us to countless moments of childhood comfort, making them worth keeping in our adult repertoire.
Hot Dogs: The Backyard Classic
Hot dogs embody the spirit of casual fun and outdoor gatherings. Wrapped in chewy homemade pretzel dough sprinkled with sesame seeds, these franks are perfect for summer cookouts or family dinners. They’re fun to make and even more fun to eat. Customize with toppings like mustard, relish, or chili. Get the Pretzel Dogs recipe. They represent a simpler approach to eating – no forks required, minimal preparation, maximum satisfaction.
These baked hot dog sandwiches appeal to kids of all ages. Even my husband, Allan, admits to enjoying every bite! We like to dip them in ketchup and mustard. – Linda Young, Longmont, Colorado. The beauty of hot dogs lies in their versatility and universal appeal. Whether grilled at a backyard barbecue or boiled for a quick dinner, they maintain that childlike sense of fun and simplicity that we often lose in our adult pursuit of sophisticated dining.
Pancakes: Weekend Morning Magic
Pancakes transform ordinary mornings into special occasions. There’s something almost ceremonial about mixing batter, hearing the sizzle in the pan, and watching bubbles form on the surface. Keep these French toast sticks in the freezer for an instant filling breakfast. Their convenient size makes them ideal for a breakfast buffet. – Taste of Home Test Kitchen shows how breakfast comfort foods can be preserved for busy mornings.
The ritual of making pancakes – from measuring ingredients to flipping them at just the right moment – connects us to countless childhood weekend mornings. The stack of golden pancakes, butter melting between layers, syrup pooling in every crevice, represents leisure and indulgence in our increasingly rushed world. Modern variations include protein pancakes and gluten-free options, but the essential comfort remains unchanged.
Mashed Potatoes: The Ultimate Side Dish
Mashed potatoes represent comfort in its purest form – creamy, warm, and infinitely satisfying. They’re the food equivalent of a soft blanket, providing immediate comfort and satisfaction. The simple combination of potatoes, butter, and milk creates something greater than the sum of its parts – a dish that soothes both body and soul.
What makes mashed potatoes particularly special is their versatility and reliability. They pair with almost everything, from fancy roast dinners to simple weeknight meals. The act of mashing potatoes by hand connects us to generations of home cooking, while instant versions provide quick comfort when we need it most. Whether smooth and creamy or chunky and rustic, mashed potatoes maintain their power to transform any meal into a comforting experience.
Cereal: The Bowl of Childhood
Cereal occupies a unique position in our comfort food pantheon because it’s simultaneously breakfast, snack, and late-night comfort. The better choice: Raisin bran. “Iron-rich raisins pack a nutritional punch, and one cup of raisin bran has around seven grams of fiber, which kids don’t get enough of,” says Elisa Zied, M.S., R.D., the author of Feed Your Family Right! The simple ritual of pouring cereal and milk remains one of life’s most reliable small pleasures.
The beauty of cereal lies in its simplicity and the memories it carries. Whether it’s sugary Saturday morning cartoons or rushed school mornings, each bowl connects us to countless childhood moments. The satisfying crunch, the cold milk, the race to finish before it gets soggy – these sensory experiences remain unchanged from childhood. Even as adults, cereal provides quick comfort and nostalgic satisfaction that more sophisticated breakfasts simply can’t match.
French Fries: The Golden Standard
French fries represent everything great about comfort food – they’re crispy, salty, warm, and instantly satisfying. Whatever your kiddos’ taste buds prefer, they can bet that their meal will be served with our Bottomless Steak Fries®, perfect for dipping into ketchup or another one of our kid-approved sauces. The perfect french fry achieves that magical balance of crispy exterior and fluffy interior that triggers pure pleasure responses in our brains.
What makes french fries particularly special is their universal appeal and social nature. They’re meant to be shared, dunked in ketchup, and enjoyed without pretense. From McDonald’s thin and crispy to thick-cut pub fries, each style carries its own nostalgic associations. The simple pleasure of hot, salty fries connects us to countless happy memories – from fast food trips after little league games to late-night diner visits with friends.
Chocolate Chip Cookies: The Gold Standard of Cookies
If regular cookies are handheld happiness, chocolate chip cookies are pure joy concentrated into bite-sized perfection. They represent the pinnacle of cookie comfort – familiar enough to feel like home, special enough to feel like a treat. The combination of vanilla-scented dough and melted chocolate creates an aroma that immediately signals comfort and care.
The magic of chocolate chip cookies lies in their perfect imperfection. No two cookies are exactly alike – some have more chips, others are slightly more golden, each one unique yet familiar. The ritual of warm cookies and cold milk creates a moment of pure comfort that transcends age. Whether they’re crispy around the edges or soft throughout, chocolate chip cookies maintain their power to transform an ordinary moment into something special.
Soup and Crackers: The Healing Bowl
Soup represents nurturing in its most elemental form. Comfort foods are often linked to positive memories or experiences from the past, and consuming them can evoke feelings of warmth, satisfaction, and well-being. As well, the characteristics of the soup such as texture and/or temperature led to an awakening of different emotions through the senses such as taste. The soup itself is still associated with a family celebration present on many dinner tables. As in cultural traditions, they are often passed down from generation to generation.
This robust soup is a family favorite, and it’s a big hit with my canasta group as well. I top each bowl with a slice of toasted bread and cheese, but you can have fun incorporating other pizza toppings such as cooked sausage. – Jackie Brossard Kitchener, Ontario. The combination of warm liquid, familiar flavors, and the ritual of slow eating creates a meditative experience that soothes both physical and emotional hunger. Whether it’s chicken noodle for sick days or tomato with grilled cheese for rainy afternoons, soup provides comfort that goes beyond mere sustenance.
These fifteen comfort foods continue to hold their power not because they’re sophisticated or trendy, but because they connect us to our most fundamental needs – warmth, safety, love, and belonging. In the short and long term, nostalgia can positively impact our health by improving mood and wellbeing, fostering social connection and increasing quality of life. In our complex adult world, these simple pleasures remind us that sometimes the best things in life really are the simplest ones. They’re worth keeping around, not just for nostalgia’s sake, but because they genuinely make life a little bit better.
