How to manage stress-eating?

STOP! PUT DOWN THE BURGER AND WALK AWAY FROM THE FRENCH FRIES!!!

From the stress of work, home life, and all the uncertainty and craziness going on in our world today, we are more stressed than ever. Research shows Emotional Eating (and drinking) is an unhealthy coping mechanism for so many people as it is a way to suppress or soothe negative emotions, such as stress, anger, fear, boredom, sadness, and loneliness. Major life events or, more commonly, the hassles of daily life can trigger negative emotions that lead to emotional eating and disrupt your weight-loss efforts.

By finding other ways to cope with stress, you will slowly stop turning to food for comfort. Whether it is reading a good book, getting a manicure, cooking, going for a run, or whether else helps you blow off some steam and regroup, find something that helps you unload your stress other than food.

ACTION ITEMS:

Write down what you eat, how much you eat, when you eat, how you feel when you eat, and how hungry you are. Over time, you might see patterns that reveal the connection between mood and food.