Stress Eating

Many people experience stress eating at one time or another. We are particularly vulnerable right now to using food to help soothe or distract us from the stressors in our lives. As we find ourselves at home with all of the food that we purchased to get us through the next few weeks, we may find a change or exacerbation in our eating habits. Here are some helpful tips to determine if you are feeling a Physical or Emotional Hunger:

1. Did the hunger come on quickly (Emotional) or gradually (Physical)?

2. Are you craving a specific food?

• When you are physically hungry, you will eat just about anything

• When you are emotionally hungry, you want something specific (chips, cookies, ice cream)

3. Is the hunger coming from the stomach (Physical) or the head (Emotional)?

4. Are there feelings of regret or guilt after eating?

• Yes (Emotional)

• No (Physical)

What can you do to help curb this behavior? Post a list in the kitchen of several things that you can do instead of eating. Use it as a way to get yourself out of the kitchen and be specific about what you will do instead. You’ve got this!