Foods That Cure a Broken Heart
By Jenny Everett,SELF magazine
We've all been there: On the living room couch, watching "Sleepless in Seattle," spoon repeatedly diving into a pint of Ben & Jerry's, wondering why our relationship didn't work out. So, it begs the question: Does comfort food such as ice cream really help us deal when a b.f. suddenly decides to call it quits?
While there aren't any legit studies that show that food definitively helps us deal, anecdotally, it's clear that most broken-hearted women have the instinct to binge.
"Post-breakup, foods that make you feel good are important," says registered dietician Stephanie Clarke, a contributing editor at SELF and co-founder of C&J Nutrition. "Instead of drowning your sorrows in foods that might pack in lots of extra calories and lead to weight gain (ice cream, chocolate, chips, etc.) -- which can make you feel worse in the long run -- opt for foods that make you feel energetic, svelte and ready to take on the day. Because when you are ready to mix and mingle again, you want to feel sensational."
Here are Clarke's picks for the best break-up foods that are packed with comfort, not calories:
The Comfort Food: Vegetable soup
Why She Loves It: "It's a warm and soothing way to fit in over a serving of veggies per bowl."
Related: Microwave-Safe Meals: Cook Healthy in Under 5 Minutes
The Comfort Food: Homemade hot cocoa
Why She Loves It:"Stir a Dove dark chocolate Promise square into a mug of hot nonfat milk (or soy/almond milk) for a soothing chocolate fix that provides protein and calcium, too."
The Comfort Food: Turkey Chili
Why She Loves It:"Nothing says comfort food like chili, with its warmth and satisfying mixture of protein and fiber."
The Comfort Food: Yogurt, berry and oats parfait.
Why She Loves It:"Layer Greek yogurt with oats, berries and a drizzle of maple syrup to start the day without feeling weighed down."
Related: The 9 Worst "Healthy" Breakfast Foods
The Comfort Food: Frozen grapes
Why She Loves It:"For those nights you feel like sitting in front of the TV and gorging a pint of ice cream, opt for a bowl of frozen grapes. You get the same sweet, cold combo, but without the regret in the morning."
How to you deal when a relationship comes to a screeching halt? Gorge yourself with sugar and fried food? Or go on a major health kick?
More from SELF:
• Try these superfoods for flat abs!
• Hungry? Try one of these 30 healthy snacks
• Lose weight faster: 6 days to get slim
• Check out 10 ways to avoid germs at the gym
• Reach your weight loss goal with SELF's no-stress fitness plan
Photo Credit: Condé Nast Digital Studio
