45 Healthy Comfort Food Recipes–gluten free with vegan and low-carb options
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Now you don’t have to sacrifice your health to enjoy delectable, heart (and belly) warming foods. With these Healthy Comfort Foods you can satisfy your taste buds and feel great too!
Plus, they’re all gluten-free and mostly low carb.
Comfort Foods make us feel good when we eat them. It’s the way they taste, the way they feel in our mouths, and sometimes it’s the memories they bring back from our childhood. They can be main dishes, sides, beverages, and yes, of course, desserts.
The problem, of course, is that so many comfort foods, while they might seem “comforting”–they wreak havoc on our blood sugar, and our guts…and inevitably on our health.
For me, some of my favorite comfort foods from my childhood are–cold cereal (from the box!), homemade cookies (especially chocolate chippers and peanut butter blossoms), spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, chicken nuggets, and ice cream. And ice cream.
Did someone say ice cream?
I used to work in an ice cream parlor. BAD idea.
And then when my husband and I were dating, our favorite “frugal date” was to go to Mickey D’s and get soft serve cones. Multiple ones. We even knew which workers gave out the tallest cones…..mmm hmmm…..yup, we were that frugal and intent on getting the biggest dessert for our buck.
Spaghetti and meatballs were a big fave for me too. My mom would have the spaghetti sauce simmering all day…and would let me try some spooned onto white bread (yikes!) for a treat when it was almost done.
Then cookies.
I just loved baking. All. the. time.
I didn’t like the cleaning up part, though…just the baking and eating. Much to mom’s chagrin.
Peanut Butter Blossoms were my all time favorite cookie….and chocolate chippers…and…
Anyhow, as our diets changed over the years due to candida, thyroid disease, and more, these foods just moved out of my life, or I had to work to replace them with a healthier alternative.
I know that there are some healthy eating plans like Whole30, that recommend abstaining from healthier versions of comfort foods. And actually, that’s the way we eat most of the time around here these days.
Lots of healthy meat, veggies, some fruit, and occasional grains, but very little to no processed foods and our meals have been very basic for months.
However, earlier when our food sensitivities started, and today even, when I get in the mood to have fun with my food, I like having fun in the kitchen and making interesting dishes for my family and others. I’m not sure what’s changed–but my cravings have seriously diminished.
As in basically gone.
I see the benefit of both ways of eating. I think that eating basic foods can bring one closer to the reality of life–that food is made for living—we don’t live for food. Plus we have more time to focus on other things if we aren’t always thinking about our next meal and wondering what we’ll make or obsessing about how wonderful it’s going to be.
At the same time, I think it’s great to be able to celebrate creativity in the kitchen and enjoy culinary pleasures. And to have fun enjoying good food even if it’s a bit extravagant at times.
Plus, I think that when one is starting out trying to eat healthier, that having copycat versions of their favorite recipes can be a huge help and can even be the difference between staying on a new path and going back to eating junk food.
So with that in mind, I’ve created a roundup of healthy comfort foods, in the hopes that they will be a help to you, regardless of where you are on your healthy eating journey.
All are gluten free and are also dairy free and egg free or have easy substitutions. And if you are eating low-carb you should be able to substitute for most of them as well to meet your needs.
I hope that these healthy comfort foods are a help to you.
45 Healthy Comfort Foods
Gluten-free Chicken Nuggets–egg-free
Instead of doing take out, make these delicious baked chicken nuggets in your own home. They freeze well and taste amazing. Whenever I make them, my husband says, “How long do these take to make?” which is his nice way of saying I don’t make them as often as he’d like.
Paleo Turkey Meatballs
Gluten-Free Fried Chicken
Delectable gluten-free fried chicken made in a cast iron skillet!
Texas Slow Cooker Beef Chili
I love anything I can make in a slow cooker–and chili is something everyone loves.
This recipe calls for grass-fed beef. While not imperative, of course, it will taste even better using quality meat.
Baked Garlic Cauliflower Mash with Cheese Crust
Substitute in a dairy-free cheese for a vegan option. This looks totally amazing–the perfect side for any meal.
Grain-Free Zucchini Lasagna Recipe – low carb with dairy and egg-free options
If you LOVE lasagna, but you’ve gone grain-free, this is the perfect solution.
And there are dairy and egg-free options included.
Crock-Pot Mississippi Pot Roast (paleo & whole30)
Pot Roast with a fun twist of pepperoncini–how fun and delicious!
Pakistani Kima Beef Curry w/ vegan and AIP options
This is hands down our favorite recipe of all time. Kid-friendly too!
One-Pot Vegan Mac & Cheese
Everyone loves mac and cheese! And even more when it’s healthier!
Use low-carb elbows for a low-carb dish.
Baked Pumpkin Sage Macaroni and “Cheese”
What a fun twist on mac and cheese! Pumpkin and–sage?
Use low-carb elbows to make this dish low-carb.
Healthy Chili Mac
Again, use low-carb pasta to make this dish low carb.
Healthy Mushroom Soup
This is so easy and delicious–and comforting.
Nutrient Dense Meatloaf
All kinds of veggies hidden in this meatloaf makes for a power-packed comfort food.
Use an egg substitute for an egg-free option.
Egg Roll in a Bowl – low carb, paleo, AIP
This dish is one of our family’s all time favorites–the great taste of egg rolls without the fuss and carbs of the wrappers.
Homemade Chicken Zucchini Noodle Soup
A fantastic grain-free literal twist (of zoodles) on the traditional chicken noodle soup.
Copycat Chick-Fil-A® Chicken Nuggets (gluten free w/ grain-free option)
Use oil instead of the egg for an egg-free option.
Homemade Hot Chocolate – dairy and sugar free
Hot chocolate is so warm on chilly days.
This dairy-free hot chocolate is perfect on its own or topped with whipped coconut cream and chocolate shavings.
Deep Dish Gluten-Free Apple Pie
Use almond flour for the crust and a low carb sweetener to make this lower carb, but it won’t be truly low carb unless you sub out the apples with berries.
5-Ingredient Easy Drop Biscuits – gluten-free and vegan options
I haven’t tried this but using almond flour could make these low carb.
Quick Low-Carb Buns
These will be tough to make egg free since they are made with coconut flour.
Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough – grain free, vegan, low carb
Healthy Dark Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Balls
What a delectable treat!
Use a low-carb sweetener if needed for your diet.
Chocolate Almond Chip Ice Cream – dairy free, low carb, AIP
This is a dairy-free, low-carb remake of one of my childhood favorites.
Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Filling (grain free, gluten free, & nut free)
From what I have read, cassava flour works pretty well with egg-free substitutes so these just might work egg-free if you need that. Use a low-carb sweetener if needed.
Low-Carb Chocolate Chip Cookies
Me want cookies. Especially if they’re made healthier!
Use an egg substitute if needed.
“Almond Joy” Bars {Revised} ~ low carb, vegan, AIP
These No Bake Almond Joy® Bars are a treat we keep on hand almost all the time in our home–
they’re full of nourishing fats and taste amazing.
Cinnamon-Glazed Pumpkin Doughnuts
Move over Krispy Kreme!
These Pumpkin Doughnuts are loaded with nourishing pumpkin goodness and look ahmazing.
Low-Carb Cauliflower “Potato” Salad – vegan & paleo
This “faux” tato salad is sooo good it fools even enthusiastic potato salad lovers!
Flourless Peanut Butter Blossoms
Use a low-carb sweetener and low-carb chocolate to reduce the carbs in these. Use any nut or seed butter to avoid peanut butter if needed.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Chia Pudding ~ low carb & dairy free
How about the great flavor of Reese’s in a bowl–healthy enough for breakfast.
Filling enough to carry you ’til lunch.
Grain-Free Granola
If you love granola, but have gone grain-free, this is for you!
Use a low-carb sweetener if needed.
Blender Cheese Sauce – 5 Ingredients (GAPS)
Not your traditional nacho sauce. Here is a great sauce healthified and it’s even GAPS legal!
Super Refreshing Sugar-free Lemonade
No need to load yourself up with sugar or use drink mixes filled with artificial sweeteners.
This sugar-free lemonade is thirst-quenching and delicious all year round.
Healthy Dark Chocolate Bark
Try this healthful goodness of real food ingredients that is dairy-free, refined sugar-free, vegan, and paleo too.
DIY Caramel Latte
A whole lotta nutritious stuff in this latte.
Use a low-carb sweetener if needed for your particular dietary needs.
“Dorito®” Popcorn – dairy free, gluten free, vegan
Popcorn can’t be low-carb, but this seasoning is GREAT on veggies, kale chips, and more.
Easy Creamy Keto Mashed Potatoes (vegan option)
This recipe is dairy-free, paleo friendly, and loaded with delicious garlic flavor and a vegan twist of “cheesy nutty” nutritional yeast.
Easy Baked Sweet Potato Wedges with Chipotle Cashew Dip
These can’t be low-carb, but the dip would be great with any kind of low-carb dipper, in moderation (since cashews are higher in carbs).
Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake – grain free & paleo, w/ low-carb & vegan options
Every time I bake this cake I make 4 batches because I know it will be gone in a flash. It’s that good!
Dairy-Free Cheese Sauce with Baked Baby Potato Wedge Fries
What’s more comforting than potatoes with cheese? Knowing that your potatoes with cheese are healthified–that’s what.
Teff Waffles or Pancakes with Caramelized Bananas
Almond Flour might work as a low carb sub for these (but you will have to cut the fat in half), but skip the bananas of course.
Purple Sweet Potato Tater Tots
A childhood favorite made healthier–and made purple!
Try these with cauliflower or daikon for a low carb option.
Shepherd’s Pie with Roasted Veggies (grain & dairy free, vegan option)
A traditional comfort food filled with added veggies and redone in a lower carb version.
Which of these healthy comfort foods is your favorite?
What is YOUR favorite comfort food?
Thanks for including my cookies!
Now these are what you call COMFORT food! Awesome post, Adrienne!
I would like to try some of these recipes, probably during the holidays so I can have enough time to make them. By the way, I got really intrigued with that Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough you shared. I’m wondering if you can suggest another alternative for walnuts because I’m not a big fan of it.
Thanks, Emily!
I would try pecans – can you have those? Or more chocolate chips :).
Ohhhhhh, pecans!!! That would be a better choice because I like them. Thank you so much for the tip Adrienne. 🙂
So many of these look delicious but the “doritos” popcorn and pumpkin glazed donuts both sound amazing right now! One of my other comfort food convert recipes is beef stroganoff – made with bone broth, cashew sour cream, lots of cremini mushrooms, and served over gluten free noodles, white rice, and/or cabbage or zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. So yummy and hits the comfort food spot!
That sound amazing!!!!
I would like your most requested recipe; however, you don’t post it….only talk about it. What’s up with that?
Hello Deborah – Sorry not sure what happened there. Here’s the link – it’s in the post as well. https://wholenewmom.com/pakistani-kima/
I saw your updated version of this Kima Beef recipe and wanted to look at the original recipe to compare. But the web site you posted it on is gone. Can you send me the recipe or post the old one on your site?
Thank you so very much!!!!!
Hi Teresa,
Sorry but I don’t have that any longer. Perhaps you can find copy of the cookbook in a library?
Great recipes! I especially want to try that Pakistani Kima! Looks like something I would absolutely love. Thanks so much for sharing on Allergy-Free Wednesday! Hope you’ll come back this coming Wednesday with another great recipe!
Great post Adrienne, and great comfort food! Hope you have a wonderful week end and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Just took a peek and wow… can’t wait to make it!
I’m a new subscriber and I made your “most requested recipe” today and Oh, My! It is wonderful!!!!! I will be making this one often…thank you so much!
You’re welcome! I’m so glad – hope to see you around again!
You’ve got me hooked too. I’m also heading over to Balanced Platter.
I’m heading to the Blanced Platter now. I love comfort foods!
Hi Lisa! Hope you are doing well!