Staying Healthy

Comfort food without the guilt

Simple swaps like whole grains instead of white rice maintain flavor while boosting health benefits.

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There's nothing quite like coming in from the cold and sitting down to a hot, hearty meal. The icy temperatures seem to make us yearn for foods that will warm us up inside, stick to our bones, and soothe the soul. "We are warm-bodied creatures, and as the weather cools we actually crave more calories so we can stay warm," explains Sandra Allonen, a registered dietitian with Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital.

But digging into comfort foods all winter — like a savory beef stew, spicy spaghetti and meatballs, macaroni and cheese, fluffy pancakes, gooey pizza, or buttery mashed potatoes — comes with health risks.

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