Skip to main content
Skip to main content

Hot on HuffPost Food:

See More Stories
Tell us what you think for a chance at $1000!


Feeling Lonely? Mac & Cheese Might Be the Cure


Sometimes you just have to ask: "How come I knew that already without having to consult a shrink?" Brace yourselves for this shocker: Comfort food is, well, comforting.

That's right, as noted today in UPI.com, two graduate students from the University of Buffalo conducted an experiment in which three control groups were giving an assignment to write about something that made them feel lonely, but the group whose theme revolved around comfort food was able to pull itself out of the dark mood. (The study, published in the magazine Psychological Science, said nothing about weight gain).

"Throughout everyone's daily lives they experience stress, often associated with our connections with others," says Jordan Troisi, lead author of the study. "Comfort food can serve as a ready-made, easy resource for remedying a sense of loneliness." Glad to have it proved by science, but most of us know this just by using coming sense: Eat mac and cheese, meatloaf, and mashed potatoes can make us feel good but isn't going to help us fit into that swimming suit by summer; salads will make you love the way you look, but you'll be too sad to care. Feeling lonely? Might want to just make a new friend instead of looking to food for the answer.

Filed Under: Health & Medical, Food News
Tags: food and loneliness, food studies, mashed pototoes and loneliness

Sponsored Links

Reader comments (Page 1 of 2)

Sonya

3-28-2011 @3:03PM Sonya said... Comfort food may be comforting, but it is also good at triggering hear attacks and strokes. ENJOY PIGS !
Reply

harold

3-28-2011 @5:27PM harold said... Wow, all the unemployed feminist food nazi's are on here today as opposed to going out for a walk.

mia

3-28-2011 @5:37PM mia said... Uhm. I think that is what they are trying to tell you.
"Glad to have it proved by science, but most of us know this just by using coming sense: Eat mac and cheese, meatloaf, and mashed potatoes can make us feel good but isn't going to help us fit into that swimming suit by summer; salads will make you love the way you look, but you'll be too sad to care. Feeling lonely? Might want to just make a new friend instead of looking to food for the answer."
See? The last part of the last paragraph. But I guess NO ONE READ!!! I guess everyone just looked at the headline, the picture of Velveeta cheese shells, and started talkin s***. Simple humans. So so simple.

THE FEMINIST

3-28-2011 @6:11PM THE FEMINIST said... Oh, and harold? What do 'feminists' have to do with anything? Are you saying that women who like to look good and take care of themselves are all bitc*y 'feminists' ? so I guess fat women who don't take care of themselves and were brought up expecting a man to carry their a** thru life? I understand that some women prefer to be a stay at home mom because it really is good for the children, but I still think she should be able to at least know how to take care of herself, and learn to support herself FIRST (before even THINKING about children) instead of expecting a man to always be there and never even try to work (now im talking about the 'housewives who are lazy slobs. dont tell me that raising children is 'hard work and a 24/7 'job'. lol You think of your kids as a job? Probably because they what...make too much noise while your talkin on the phone gossiping with your gurrlllfriendss? Or you broke a nail, and oh, god forbid you gotta throw the clothes in the wash turn on the washer, maybe make a sandwich, wipe off a table, mop the floor,and go sit down. How long does that all take? an hour, hour and a half? And you dont have a time limit and dont have to be on your feet for 8 hours doing possibly stressful work. And you got the option to go wherever the hell you want throughout the day, you get to go for walks to the park, watch tv, play with toys, whats so hard about it? The most you gotta think about is what your gonna make for dinner today. If you call THAT 'work', then you obviously dont want kids. Don't want kids? Keep your legs closed, or use protection. We don't need more screwed up kids whose mommies think of them as a nuisence.

Lisa

3-28-2011 @7:16PM Lisa said... Oh wow Feminist, you are either what my children refer to as a "troll" or you are a sad, incredibly closed-minded and misguided individual with a baffling need to spread her (and I use the term loosely) toxic opinions out to the general public. And unfortunately I left my gas-mask at home.
I have been both a stay at home Mom and the sole supporter of my 2 children at different stages of my life. Everyone is different, personally I found the time spent devoted to the healthy development of my children was the most rewarding time I have ever spent. I work because I must, and I am successful, however nothing matches for me the reward of guiding my children as they grow, enjoying their acheivements, wiping their tears, and reinforcing a bond that will last for as long as we live. Many people yearn for something beyond this, others, as I do, find that this is the source of their greatest joy and satisfaction. To each his own...except, of course, for you. You just need to try to keep your mouth shut about things that you clearly know absolutely nothing about.

~ Fiona

3-28-2011 @9:40PM ~ Fiona said... Sonya, Nothing at all wrong with a little comfort food in moderation...sometimes you need to
'put down' the carrot and celery sticks - not people. You may be in a better mood. Meanness, ugliness, bitterness can sure kill you a lot faster.

therealfeminist

3-28-2011 @10:50PM therealfeminist said... @Feminist, you are truly giving us women as a gender a bad name. Lisa is right you must be an internet troll. You sound so ignorant in your comment, not to mention illiterate. I pray that you have no children, because the last thing America needs is another hypocrite with a chip on his or her shoulder. Being a stay home Mom is not easy, and it is a thankless job. Its not all goo goo and ga ga, toys, tv and shake and bake. Jeez, what rock do you live under? Teaching a child to walk, speak, eat, sleep, get dressed, brush their teeth, potty train. You think this is easy stuff? Then to clean up after three or more people everyday is a little annoying to say the least. It is 2011 and I am pretty sure that most stay at home Mothers have been previously employed and can take care of themselves and their children, so really what are you talking about. You have zero facts and sound like Archie Bunker... Are you male?

Russ

3-29-2011 @1:43AM Russ said... "pigs"?????
Uh, sorry. You, I guess, have never been with anyone with depression. "Comfort food" and depression; often go "hand-in-hand". I know, 'cause I'm dealing with depression(the loss of my spouse); and MY comfort food... grapes. Oh, and by the way; I'm 5'8" at 160lbs......................................

Blonde Ambition

3-28-2011 @3:11PM Blonde Ambition said... They should stop stuffing themselves & take walks instead. Walking works better for curing loneliness & self-pity.
Reply

mok

3-28-2011 @3:59PM mok said... i agree with you miss blond am... a good walk always helps...clears your mind and you start feeling good about your self....

LDF

3-28-2011 @3:31PM LDF said... Just what fat America needs..more mac & cheese ::eye roll::
Reply

Seth

3-28-2011 @4:26PM Seth said... Whenever Iget the urge for mac and cheese and any other comfort food all I have to do is picture all the obese illegal alien women and their fat anchor children waddling around in Florida and the urge goes right away.
Reply

lita

3-28-2011 @5:30PM lita said... Sometimes, I picture pinheaded racists.

hols

3-28-2011 @4:29PM hols said... I was thinking isn't emotional eating what got us all fat to begin with?
How about you eat some spinach greens and go for a walk.
That cures lonliness too.
Reply

Scottilla

3-31-2011 @8:55AM Scottilla said... An onion a day keeps everybody away. If you're lonely, you just have to stop eating onions.
Reply

Phil

3-28-2011 @5:03PM Phil said... Sems excercise is the best remedy. You can also meet people when you are out and about.
Reply

RBYB

3-28-2011 @5:44PM RBYB said... When in the grip of loneliness & depression, perhaps from grief, I'm not sure how all/many would react.
It's easy to say go for a walk, eat spinach, but when you're the person who is so depressed for whatever reason, I think you'd probably take your comfort in ways you might not normally.
Reply

Kathy

3-28-2011 @6:13PM Kathy said... Well now girls and boys, a bite of mac & cheese won't hurt. If you are near a Whole Foods, stop by their steam table and pick up a sample cup of their m&c--it's yum. Personally I like good old reliable dark chocolate.
Reply

spike

3-28-2011 @7:34PM spike said... It can be very dificult to pry your butt off the couch,but;exercise is the best anti-depressant of all.In the meantime,cut the poor folks a break.They are doing the best they can.Everyone cannot be as fulfilled and beautiful as you,can they?
Reply

Shirley Applebee

3-28-2011 @7:54PM Shirley Applebee said... These recipes are great. Can't wait to try them. For those shooting off their mouth and making derogatory comments, I notice you don't have the guts to use your name. Pathetic!
Reply

26 Comments / 2 Pages

Most Popular Stories

  • FDA Still Struggling to Define

    FDA Still Struggling to Define "Gluten-Free"Read More

  • This Omelet Recipe Is Written On the Egg Itself

    This Omelet Recipe Is Written On the Egg ItselfRead More

  • Why Jewish Food Disappoints

    Why Jewish Food DisappointsRead More


Sponsored Links