Nothing throws your eating habits into turmoil quite like ending a relationship does. Often times, recently single people binge-eat junk food. This only makes them feel worse. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. In fact, if you eat the right things, post-breakup food can actually help heal your achy-breaky heart. Here are four snacks that we at Spoon think make great replacements for your significant other without throwing your dietary health to the wind.
Popcorn with Parmesan and Oregano
Photo by Andrea Kang of NU Spoon
A twist on an old classic, this snack will make you feel more sophisticated than your ex ever did. It combines a celebrated junk food with a classy type of cheese and everyone’s favorite garden herb to stifle any feelings of regret. During the sappy love scenes, you can cathartically hurl this snack at your screen. Bonus: even bad Lifetime movies and Netflix marathons feel highbrow with a bowl of this fancy popcorn by your side.
Mug Brownie
Photo by Katie Walsh
On a cold, rainy day, your strongest desire is to feel warm. Significant others do that well, but brownies do it better. Yes, you want to bake an entire batch and eat the whole pan. Restrain yourself. A mug brownie is meant to serve one (we’re sorry, but this is a reality now), so the portion-size is more appropriate, and it takes much less time to make. All you need is a mug, a handful of ingredients and a microwave. You’ll have a partner fit for keeping you warm, while watching the raindrops race down your windowpane in no time.
Super Nachos
Photo Courtesy of Jeffreyw via Flickr
If you’re looking for something to spice up your night, don’t despair. You can make your single life even spicier than your relationship life with one simple snack. Why waste time reminiscing about those nights you spent at the salsa club with your no-longer-significant-other, when instead you can concoct a plate of super nachos that will have you panting twice as hard, twice as fast? The best part is you can play with the measurements and decide the size for each and every step; no questions asked.
Caprese Salad
Photo by Bernard Wen of NU Spoon
Perhaps it may come as a surprise to many newly single folks that nature does not lose any of its beauty after a breakup. The sun still shines; the rain still falls; the stars still glimmer from the heavens. Though that may be hard to accept at first, we’re confident that you’ll soon come to find it healing, and what better snack to take out on your next solo picnic than something inspired by nature’s best? Refresh yourself with this light meal, infused with the flavors of Italy.
With these four snacks, you’ll have something at hand to cure those initial cravings, whether they’re sweet or savory. The first night is always the hardest, but if you fight the good fight and eat responsibility, you’ll be back on your feet in no time. Remember that no matter how heartbroken you are, good food will always be willing to dry your tears.
Thanks to Kelly Morr for helping this article bloom.