Finding Comfort in Chaos: How Americans Turn to Food During Mercury Retrograde

Mercury retrograde, the astrological phenomenon infamous for causing stress, nostalgia, communication breakdowns and relationship upheavals, has become something of a cultural touchstone in modern America. As this celestial event approaches, many Americans find themselves instinctively reaching for comfort foods to soothe their frazzled nerves. According to experts from Tastewise, a leading food intelligence platform, “Mercury Retrograde makes us crave comfort food for emotional grounding and a quick dopamine boost. With studies showing that 45% of people turn to food for comfort, the upcoming retrograde can turn into a real munchfest.” This connection between celestial events and our eating habits reveals something profoundly human about how we cope with uncertainty and stress—we seek solace in the familiar tastes of childhood and comfort.

Americans’ relationship with comfort food runs surprisingly deep. Previous research has uncovered just how passionate this connection can be, with some people willing to go to extraordinary lengths for their favorite dishes. In one particularly amusing study, researchers found that 35% of Americans would name their child “Pizza” in exchange for a lifetime supply of their favorite pie. Similarly, 28% would bestow the name “Mozz Stick” on their offspring, while 27% would opt for “Ice Cream.” While these statistics might seem humorous, they highlight the profound emotional attachment many of us have to certain foods—an attachment that becomes even more pronounced during times of stress and uncertainty like Mercury retrograde. Tastewise conducted a specialized survey to determine exactly which comfort foods Americans gravitate toward during these astrologically challenging periods, revealing patterns that speak to our collective need for culinary reassurance when the stars seem misaligned.

Leading the pack as America’s preferred retrograde remedy is mac and cheese, with a substantial 20% of survey participants identifying this cheesy carbohydrate classic as their go-to comfort food. There’s something universally soothing about this dish that transcends regional differences. As the survey notes, whether it’s “baked and bubbling in the South or truffle-topped in LA,” mac and cheese represents “the edible equivalent of a warm hug after a looong day.” The dish’s creamy texture and rich flavor profile activate pleasure centers in our brains while simultaneously evoking childhood memories of simpler times. The combination of familiar flavors and textures creates a multisensory experience that momentarily shields us from Mercury’s mischievous influence, offering both physical satisfaction and emotional comfort in a single, cheese-laden bowl.

Close behind mac and cheese is the traditional breakfast plate, with nearly 20% of respondents craving this greasy spoon classic comprising eggs, pancakes, and bacon when Mercury goes retrograde. The survey poignantly asks, “Don’t we all remember what a slow Sunday morning in your mom’s kitchen tastes like? Exactly like this.” This sentiment captures the essence of why breakfast foods offer such powerful comfort—they transport us back to unhurried weekend mornings and family gatherings, times when the world’s complications seemed far away and manageable. Following breakfast foods on the comfort list is the iconic pairing of grilled cheese and tomato soup, a combination that epitomizes the “marriage of roasted nightshade and cheese goo” that many Americans find irresistible during celestial disturbances. A separate study found that America’s ultimate grilled cheese uses white bread, comes cut into triangles, and layers two different kinds of cheese. Perhaps most tellingly, 84% of Americans admitted that biting into a perfectly prepared grilled cheese—crispy on the outside with a gooey, cheesy interior—ranks among their favorite sensations in life, a simple pleasure that offers momentary escape from retrograde-induced chaos.

The humble baked potato with toppings also secures a prominent place in America’s retrograde comfort food hierarchy, with 13% of respondents naming it their go-to dish during astrologically challenging times. Described as “simple and humble,” the loaded baked potato stands as “an underrated comfort classic and the ultimate ‘solo dinner’ meal.” The appeal lies partly in its customizability—each person can add their preferred combination of toppings, creating a personalized comfort experience—and partly in its hearty, filling nature that grounds us during unsettled times. Rounding out the list is an unexpected entry: brown bread with syrup, a simple combination that harkens back to earlier times and embodies the nostalgic longing that Mercury retrograde often triggers. As the survey notes, “Simplicity and nostalgia are everything when it comes to grounding yourself and hitting the reset button,” and this unassuming pairing delivers both in abundance.

What all these comfort foods share is their ability to temporarily transport us away from the communication glitches, technological failures, and relationship tensions that characterize Mercury retrograde periods. They offer a tangible connection to our past, to simpler times when planetary positions weren’t part of our daily concerns. Whether we’re scientifically minded skeptics or devoted astrological believers, most of us can appreciate the psychological benefits of turning to familiar, beloved foods when life feels particularly chaotic or uncertain. As astrologer Reda Wigle might suggest, these culinary choices represent more than mere indulgence—they’re a form of self-care, a way of honoring our emotional needs during cosmically challenging times. So as Mercury prepares to station retrograde once again, perhaps we might all benefit from embracing our comfort food cravings, recognizing them as part of our very human response to the mysteries of the universe and the challenges of navigating life under capricious stars. After all, in a world where planetary movements can supposedly disrupt our daily lives, finding comfort in a perfect grilled cheese or a bowl of mac and cheese seems not just understandable but downright sensible.