10 Comfort Foods For The Lonely Or Sawi
It's tough to be alone on Valentine's Day. Here are chef-recommended binge-worthy foods to help survive the ordeal.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner but we all know not everyone is going to celebrate this day. For some, it could be a challenging time emotionally for many reasons.
If you’re not in the mood to celebrate, you can always find a certain level of comfort with the right dish.
Here are some of our suggestions of binge-worthy food that can help you mend your broken heart and some insights from some of our favorite foodies about how they overcame heartbreaks throughout their lives.
Comfort Food
Comfort Food
Chocolates
According to actual health experts, eating chocolates (best enjoyed in moderation) can actually help improve your mood. The quality of chocolate should be taken into account, so chocolates with a high percentage of cacao is best. But even non-experts already know the instant benefits of having a piece or two of chocolate just because it’s delish. We don’t normally need an excuse to enjoy it, but when you’re feeling down in the dumps, there’s nothing like good chocolate for a no-fail pick-me-up.
Photo Credit: Michelle Blackwell on Unsplash
Cakes
Food writer CJ Juntereal recalls meeting up with some friends over drinks years ago and talk about the men who were stupid enough to break their hearts. Though it’s been ages, she also remembers eating really good cupcakes to help her get through a tough time. Her cupcake of choice? Sonja’s, of course. “I carefully peel away half the cupcake liner and take a bite, making sure to get both cupcake and frosting in that first bite,” CJ shared. “I always end up with a blob of frosting on my nose, and crumbs down my clothes, but there’s something about that first sugary, buttery rush that reminds me that there’s something out there better than my broken heart, and that sometimes, all I need to fix my heart is a little sweetness.”
Photo Credit: @cupcakesbysonja
Ice Cream
Without a doubt, wallowing after a break-up only calls for a tub of ice cream. Not a dainty pint, ok? A tub. Usually enough to drown out the sorrows of a love lost. Sebastian’s Ice Cream has made it an annual tradition to offer their hugot-filled flavors every February, like Closure (https://www.facebook.com/143153862665/posts/10158694692447666/?d=n), “a smooth and chunk-free Ginger Honey Tea Ice Cream infused with black tea leaves and fresh ginger root sweetened with real honey” this year; or their best-selling Matinong Boyfriend (https://www.facebook.com/143153862665/posts/10158694679557666/?d=n), a Banana-based ice cream “made with fresh Lacatan Bananas at the peak of ripeness, swirled with a rich Nutella fudge, crispy Banana chips and fresh Banana slices dipped in a Nutella shell”.
Photo Credit: @sebastiansicecream
Drinks
Chef Anne Atanacio is no stranger to sweets with her very own line of decadent treats from Anghelica’s, but her routine for getting over heartbreak is some me time through a mani-pedi session while enjoying a chai latte. When asked about his favorite comfort food in the face of sadness, chef and YouTuber Edward Bugia said chefs — when heartbroken — don’t eat, they drink. Which makes a lot of sense.
Photo Credit: Fabio Alves for Unsplash
Stews
But on a slightly more serious note, Sini Gang podcast chefs Edward Bugia and Sharwin Tee shared that their comfort food of choice are in the form of stews, albeit from different countries. For Chef Ed, a warm bowl of Beef Pares does the trick, particularly the one from Goto Tendon. The fact that it’s also the perfect hangover food is maybe just a nice little coincidence. *wink* Meanwhile, TV host and author Sharwin Tee shared it was this Indian classic that got him through a challenging time. “The last time I had my heart broken big time, one of my constants was chicken tikka masala and buttered naan. The rich, strong and spicy flavors just brought a level of comfort to me,” he shared. “I still have it nowadays but I try to avoid bingeing in any form as I try to eat more healthfully.” (Photo: @anavrin27)
Photo Credit: Goto Tendon
Noodles
The warm broth from a good noodle dish never fails to soothe the soul. For celebrity chef and host Jackie Ang Po, being broken-hearted made her lose her appetite. Just like our friend and fellow food writer Jaclyn Koppe, who shared that she binged on tears instead of food *hugs*. But Chef Jackie has some recommendations for those who are going through tough times this love month. “It’s not a particular dish but I think what helps a broken heart is ‘comfort food’ and friends. I think if I were to go out with my friends, I will go to a pizza and pasta place. Where you can Marites on kuwento and enjoy carbs and cheese and forget your broken heart,” she said. “Next location will be Ramen with another friend. Comfort food – or favorite foods — and friends is the best for broken hearts.”
Photo Credit: Mae Mu for Unsplash
Pizza
Just like what Chef Jackie said, pizza is a sure way to lighten your mood, especially when shared with good friends. Personally, there’s nothing like a warm slice of overloaded pizza with melty cheese. Detroit-style pizza is all the rage lately, with its thick crispy crust and topping-heavy options. Tasteless Food Group recently launched their take on this Michigan fave called American Pie (https://instagram.com/americanpieph/). We highly recommend The Jackson Five and Motown Truffle Shrooms.
Photo Credit: @americanpieph
Cheese
Cheese is the ultimate MVP when it comes to the comfort food arena. From savory dishes to desserts, cheese is always a good idea and it makes things better, even a broken heart. Cheesecake is one of the best desserts out there. Whether you’re heartbroken or not, a slice of really good cheesecake can make your day better. Chef Chele González’s (https://instagram.com/chefcheleskitchen/) (or any of his variations) as well as Scout’s Honor’s (https://www.tasteless.ph/products/strawberry-basque-burnt-cheesecake-1) Basque Burnt Cheesecake are both must-tries. One bite and you’ll surely forget why you were even sad in the first place.
Photo Credit: @chefcheleskitchen
Chips
Okay, here’s the thing. When you eat something sweet, your body will automatically crave something salty. Don’t fight it, it’s science. (Okay, maybe it’s not science.) But chips will always be a wallowing staple because what will you eat when you’re rewatching “The Notebook” for the nth time? Scout’s Honor recently launched their Chips Troop Bucket (https://www.tasteless.ph/products/original-chips-troop-bucket), which is literally a bucket of crunchy chips in original or teriyaki flavor. It comes in three sizes, but why buy 90 grams when you can have a kilo of crunchy chips by your side? Go big or go home, baby.
Photo Credit: @scoutshonorph
Fried Stuff
Fried chicken, french fries, mozzarella sticks, even lumpia. These things bring us so much comfort in every bite. They’re also usually deep fried. It’s not something we eat daily, but when the heart calls for it, you gotta do whay you gotta do. Highly recommending the Croquettes (https://www.instagram.com/p/CUb65MYhy9r/) from Mimi and Bros as well as their mozzarella sticks. They also have cocktails. Just sayin’. If you’d like to indulge with a little less oil, you can always airfry stuff. Mimi and Bros also sell frozen good that you can easily pop in your airfryer or oven.
Photo Credit: @mimiandbros
We feel like this should go without saying but we’ll say it anyway: While food can make us feel better when we’re sad, it is not the ultimate cure for sadness. Food can play a huge role in your recovery, especially when it’s shared with good friends and family.
Self-love and patience are much better ways to treat yourself after a break-up or any heartbreaking event in your life. Enjoy some me-time and put yourself first. You’ll love it.
Lead photo: Unsplash
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