Ice cream, apple pie, chicken noodle soup, boxed chocolates meat loaf and mashed potatoes: these are the most popular comfort foods in the United States The feelings of security and love that came along with the tea and honey or chicken soup that your mother or father gave you when you had a cold or with the ice cream and popsicles lovingly given to soothe a sore throat renewed with comfort foods. Some comfort foods can bring pleasure and reduce anxiety just by their image. (Illustration 5.4)