Three Ways to Avoid Emotional Eating During Stressful Situations

We’ve all been there before. Stress levels are at the max and you find yourself reaching for a snack when you’re not even hungry. When we eat, the body releases endorphins causing us to feel good. No wonder snacking under stress is so popular! It’s a quick and easy fix to get to feeling better fast. Perhaps the extra snacking is not as bad as the types of foods (or alcohol for that matter) for which we reach. Most of us go for high calorie, sugary or salty foods that offer absolutely no nutrition value. If stress is inevitable, then how do we curb eating to cope? Here are my three ways to avoid emotional eating when times get tough!

Number One: Recognize Your Triggers and Stop Them Before They Start

I would be lying if I said I was cool as a cucumber all of the time. I tend to have that typical “Type A” personality and like my circumstances to be neat and orderly, but we all know that is not how life goes! Over the years I’ve come to recognize the situations that will set me into a tailspin and have learned to be more proactive about those situations. For example, when preparing for a trip, I make sure to have my house clean and in order for when I return. After packing, I get set to cleaning. This eases my mind that upon return I will only have to deal with grocery shopping and laundry. Being aware of my stressors helps me play offense instead of defense. Take mental note of the situations that cause you stress and see if you can game plan a way to be more proactive about them.

Number Two: Identify Your Weaknesses!

Full disclosure, the more stress in my life, the more bottles of wine I buy. To go along with that wine I purchase cheese and crackers. I’ll crack open that box of crackers before I drink the wine, but I KNOW if I have the combo of the three, it will be crackers and cheese for lunch, dinner and snack! When I’m at the grocery store and that box of triscuits looks like the best thing on the planet, I already know that there is stress in my life, even if I haven’t admitted to it yet! Once you identify what your go to stress food is, you’ll be able to stop before purchase and ask yourself WHY you’re even bothering to buy it. I would say I go through this process sometimes on a weekly basis. If I want to buy crackers, then I’m not dealing with the stress at hand. I also know that crackers will not properly refuel my body, which can lead to further fatigue and tiredness in the body.

Number Three: Find Another Outlet Besides Food/Alcohol To Trigger Those Endorphins

My favorite way to release stress is to workout. I start each and every day with some form of exercise to preemptively combat any stress that may occur during the day. Maybe working out isn’t your thing at all and that is okay too! I am also a fan of random dance parties in my living room. Whatever activity that is going to make you smile, is going to be the perfect outlet to manage your stress. If you find yourself reaching for food, stop and think if you could be reaching for a book, art project, or a walk in the park instead. Anytime you can curb that urge to eat, you’re reprogramming your brain to deal with stress in a healthier way!