Healthy Comfort Food

Do you have fond childhood memories of your grandparents? Maybe they always had a bowl of those soft dinner mints stocked for your arrival; or let you crawl onto their laps and read your favorite book during visits? Or maybe you recall the lovely aromas of the hearty comfort foods cooking throughout the day that you enjoyed before making a pillow fort in the living room?

No matter the role they played, grandparents can have big impacts on our lives. That has never been truer than now as a big food trend is turning to the comforting recipes that were staples in their homes.

But it turns out there may be than one more reason to eat like our grandparents— better health! Read on as we discover five ways our grandparents may have known best.

5 Reasons We Should Eat Like Our Grandparents

They Cooked at Home from Scratch

Dining out and ordering in is the norm in today’s busy society. Between work, T-ball practices, dance recitals and life in general, it can be tempting to tap the delivery app on our phone and have dinner on the table in 30 minutes. It sure is convenient, but restaurant meals may be full of sneaky ingredients that may add extra fat, sodium and unnecessary calories to your meal.

Studies  have also shown that people who cook at home more often may enjoy better health overall than those who turn to a take-out menu. While cooking every meal from scratch may not be realistic, why not try to cook one or two more meals at a home this week and see how you feel?

They Ate Mindfully, Together

Busy lifestyles strike again. As we try to navigate our family members’ individual schedules, we may find that our time at the dinner table together becomes few and far between. Or that we are hastily eating carry out in the car between activities. Neither are ideal for a healthy lifestyle.

A 2017 study  revealed that eating too fast may not only cause you to gain weight, it may also increase your risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Generations before us ate most meals around a table and took time to chew their food while listening to conversations of others. This also made mealtime an opportunity to bond with family and friends.

They Ate Seasonal Foods

Today you can find nearly every fruit or vegetable lining produce shelves, regardless of the season. Strawberries and melons in winter and Brussels sprouts and broccoli in summer are not uncommon. But in our “grandparent’s day” that wasn’t always the case. They ate the food that was in season, which means it was harvested at the peak of the season for optimal freshness.

Seasonal eating  is also thought to supply what our body needs at the time. For example, when there are more daylight hours in the summer, we may spend extra time outdoors and sweat more. Berries, cucumbers and other seasonal favorites offer hydrating benefits, so that is what our bodies crave. When the weather dips, we are drawn to foods that warm us up like avocado, nuts and grains.

They Consumed Less Sugar and Sweeteners

Today the average American consumes an average of 77 grams of sugar per day! This has a lot to do with the added sugars and sweeteners in beverages like sodas and sports drinks, as well as the processed foods that are readily available. Our grandparents didn’t have as much access to sugar-laden drinks because they were much more expensive and were considered a treat.

They Ate Comfort Food

Have you ever thought about how comfort food earned its moniker? Seems pretty obvious, right? It’s food that makes us feel good, whether it’s a pot roast on a winter’s night or those mints from your childhood.

But it’s about more than warm memories. Studies show that dishing up your favorite comfort foods may improve your mood and sense of well-being, and even decrease loneliness.

It’s not just about a rewarding bowl of ice cream after a meal or high-fat fast food. Our grandparents’ recipes, from homemade soups to pasta, often boasted everything we need for a balanced and healthy meal, including protein, whole grains, fruit and vegetables.

The Healthy Comfort Recipe You Need

Need proof? Check out our recipe for Homemade Meatloaf that tastes like it came right out of your Grandparent’s kitchen. It’s packed with protein, vitamins, and of course, amazing flavor! If you really want the ultimate comfort food experience, follow it up with our harvest sweet potato pecan pie tarts.

Most Comforting Meatloaf, Ever

Like many family recipes, this meatloaf recipe has a secret ingredient—panko breadcrumbs! Lighter and crispier than traditional breadcrumbs, they absorb less oil and will make your meatloaf lighter on the inside and a bit crispy around the edges! Whip up the simple glaze if you prefer a tangy topping for your meatloaf.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced small
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons steak sauce
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 3 whipped eggs
• 1/3-1/2 cup low-fat milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper

Optional Glaze Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Place foil on a cookie sheet and spray with non-stick coating to prevent sticking.
3. Add all the ingredients to a large bowl and mix well.
4. Form into a loaf and place into oven. Cook for 45 minutes.
5. If you are doing the glaze, combine the ingredients together and brush onto the meatloaf after 30 minutes and continue to bake an additional 15.*
6. Let cool and serve!

*Oven temperatures may vary, make sure your meatloaf is thoroughly cooked.

Nutrition Facts for the Meatloaf:

Makes 8 servings

Amount per serving: