Breakups are notorious for being a pain in your butt. They wreak havoc on you emotionally and mentally, so it’s no wonder many of us throw ourselves into anything and everything to distract us from the disastrous end of a relationship. We could be trying to stay busy by spending all our time studying or working, rebounding with the next person or flirting on Bumble, or burying under the warm hug of our beds. Whatever the coping mechanism is, when the sun sinks in the horizon, and we’re left to our own devices, we all turn to the one thing that we know won’t leave us heartbroken (unless it tastes like crap): food.
Food is the universally welcomed thing that comforts us, rejuvenates us and holds every smell, every taste and every memory, from good to bad. But most of all, it is our very best friend in the moments we need it the most. It’s a pretty vital part of that whole mourning-to-recovery process.
I’ve always found that the foods I turned to after a breakup and that comforted me in the deepest pits of despair, whilst sobbing during my re-watch of the classics: Easy A, Crazy, Stupid Love, Mean Girls, and A Cinderella Story (just to name a few), were loaded with either delicious sugary goodness, carbs (who can say no to pasta?) or grease because we all know fried chicken is just sensational.
So here we have the 7 best comfort foods that help me after a breakup.
Cake
It doesn’t matter what kind of cake.
From carrot cake to Victoria sponge cakes, to chocolate fudge cakes and gorgeous gateaux, to the chocolate and raspberry-filling cake topped with pink butter cream and decorated with sprinkles and fresh raspberries, they’re all amazing at warming your insides and filling you with that feeling of joy. Loading up a plate with a spoonful (or forkful?) of cake is one of life’s loveliest antidotes to crying over someone.
Cheesecake
I like to think of cheesecake as a separate entity to cake, because of the biscuit base (and since it isn’t baked in an oven). Chocolate cheesecake is one of my favourites, even better when I make it. But the classic strawberry cheesecake does hit the spot too, and it’s a perfect treat to have when watching The Devil Wears Prada and cursing Andy for giving up an amazing job at a huge magazine.
Chicken And Chips
Is there anything better than heading down to your local chippy (even if you are dressed in sweatpants you have to keep pulling up because the legs are too long) to get a hot box of 10 wings and chips for £4? I don’t know about you, but I like covering my chips in all the condiments available.
Chocolate (see also: chocolate cookies)
Okay, but does this even need any explanation? Chocolate, and especially chocolate cookies, are some of the best for comfort (and it releases endorphins! Endorphins make you happy). It’s one of the sure fire ways to get into that zone of recovering from losing a relationship or ‘the one that got away’.
Pizza
The meat feast pizza with the barbeque base from Pizza Hut is, by far, one of the best pizzas I’ve ever tried. It is one of the best, best, best foods for comfort eating after breaking up with someone. Pizza is one of those soul-enriching foods and it can take the form of a very best friend. But don’t forget the garlic bread with it: the ultimate side to any pizza.
Ice Cream
We all know ice cream is one of those foods we automatically turn to, in times of hardship and screaming fights and angry tears. And with breakups. Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food and Cookie Dough is my go-to. Sure, it doesn’t un-break our hearts — but it’s there to ride through the storm with us and is a quick-happiness-fix when we need that. The deliciousness in ice cream increases serotonin production; hence the happy feeling while we eat it.
Burgers
Burgers are great and versatile, from fish burgers, to vegetarian burgers, to vegan burgers, to the sensational and different types of chicken burgers. Gourmet burgers. The list is endless and you can do, and get, so much with burgers. Stuffing our faces with them is the ultimate post-breakup meal we need, with chips, a couple fried wings, and a can of Mirinda Strawberry. They’re fab for sating hunger, cravings and heartbreak all in one.
While all of these foods are amazing, it’s important that I note that I am discussing foods I eat as a form of comfort, and not as a form of bingeing.
If you are struggling with any form of bingeing on a regular basis that is distressing to you, and feel as though you may need to talk, Beat’s helpline is available 365 day a year: 0808 801 0677.
