Emotional Eating: STRESSED is DESSERTS spelled backwards!

Emotional Eating: STRESSED is DESSERTS spelled backwards!
Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom

One of the biggest barriers we all face is how to manage stress and emotional eating. It’s the primary cause for almost all overeating! Simply put: it’s eating for a reason not related to hunger – and people are quick to admit that they are not hungry when they’re eating from stress, emotional issues, boredom, or anxiety.

The solution is not just learning more about eating. You need to also understand how to better manage the kinds of stress in your life and how you respond to this stress. So, while you can’t always control the stress you face, you CAN alter your response – which makes controlling your emotional eating a lot easier.

You want to find other ways to change that hand-to-mouth stress eating behavior – and avoid food as the immediate go-to for soothing yourself. Try a shower, a short walk, brushing your teeth, cleaning a drawer, or a 10-minute time out for a social phone call.

If you’re an “oral” person and need to keep your mouth occupied, try some of these low/non calorie strategies like sugarless gum and sugar-free mints. Crunch is a good stress-reliever, but skip the salt/fat chip combos and stick with raw veggies or 100-cal popcorn packs. Low/non calorie liquids like seltzer, water (flavored or plain), herbal teas, and low-cal sodas and drinks can help get you though these stressful periods. And read the labels – clear doesn’t always mean low calorie!

When it comes to stress eating, think before you eat. It doesn’t mean don’t eat, it means make a better choice. This easy strategy can prevent diet derailing!

My bottom line? Managing emotional eating is a two-step process.

Step 1: get in touch with your feelings, and identify your reasons for stress.

Step 2: figure out ways to self-soothe either without food, or using low/non-calorie options.

Please share your own thoughts on managing stress eating. We all need as much advice as we can get!