According to the data, the top five most nostalgia-inducing foods for adults across the UK are fish fingers, egg & soldiers, roast dinner, beans on toast and shepherd’s pie.
Older Brits (age 65+) feel most sentimental about hearty classics like roast dinners and shepherd’s pie. Younger generations (aged 18-24) named potato waffles, smiley faces, and chicken dinosaurs among their top comfort picks, showing how childhood trends have evolved alongside frozen food innovations.
Dr. Carolyne Keenan, a registered psychologist, said: “Food is never just food, it’s memory, identity, and connection. Childhood is a time of emotional imprinting. The foods we grew up with are often tied to experiences of comfort, care and routine.
“When we revisit those meals, our brains light up memory networks linked to those emotions. It's a form of emotional shorthand, especially comforting when we’re stressed or feeling low. In the right context, revisiting these meals can support emotional wellbeing. It’s a way to ground ourselves and access a sense of ease and belonging, even if just for a moment.”
HelloFresh has launched special ‘childhood classics’ on their menu, with child friendly recipes reimagining nostalgic favourites with a grown-up twist.
Mimi Morley, senior recipe development manager at HelloFresh, added: “The data not only shows us just how much food can mean to us at every stage of our lives, but it highlights the impact of food early on in childhood. We aim to create family-friendly recipes that lean into the comfort everyone needs while still concentrating on whole foods and healthy ingredients that will have a positive, longstanding impact.”