Women eat crappy comfort food when they're stressed
By fler
@feodda (579)
Philippines
November 6, 2009 12:53pm CST
Those same people are also more likely to say that they feel their eating is out of control. As a result, women under chronic stress often try to regain control through "rigid restraint" methods like skipping meals.
The tendency for chronically stressed women to turn to high-fat food to the trigger response of food denial and meal skipping, doesn't seem to be very groundbreaking.
Some people do under-eat during periods of stress but that most women opt for things like chocolate, chips and fast food. Getting to the emotional issues behind these eating extremes is key for women who want to get to a healthier weight and have more stable, fueling eating habits.
Do you turn to food for relief when you're under stress? Are you more likely to eat veggies or ice cream when times are tough?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@my_name_is_coco (4334)
• Philippines
21 Nov 09
it is proven that when women are stressed,they turn to comfort foods.same goes as when happy,women turn to food to celebrate.I myself am guilty of this.when I feel crappy, chocolate cake or yummy pasta can make me smile.it is indeed a hard habit to break.so when I feel stressed,I just usually do something other than eat.I turn on the music and dance.
@cameron102390 (6)
• United States
13 Nov 09
I tend to eat when I get stressed or nervous, it is a bad habit I must admit.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
7 Nov 09
I can sure relate to anyone who eats chocolate or junk food during times of stress. I consider myself an emotional eater and it has not caused me too many problems because until now I always managed to keep my weight under control. These days, because I am getting older perhaps, the weight tends not to shift so I may have to get a handle on my emotional eating! It is a problem that no diet will fix in fact I feel that it is more of a psychological issue rather than a physical one.
@msfrancisco9369 (10002)
• Boston, Massachusetts
7 Nov 09
I agree with you sister! I am really so stressed these past month and despite my stress management exercises, i gained extra weight due to skipping meal but when given the chance to eat--- i eat a lot making up for the deprivation i did for myself. But since i am conscious now about this -- i will not make it worst from gaining some more weight hehehehehe!
@rg0205 (2636)
• Hong Kong
7 Nov 09
I don't eat when I'm stressed. In fact, I sort of lose my appetite. When I'm under stress, I normally just try to get it out of me by going for walks and doing things that I like or enjoy. I don't turn to food because I'm weight/body conscious. If I feel "fat" or look "fat" then I'd probably feel even worse. It sounds pretty vain, I know, but we all want to look good and feel good about ourselves. So, yeah, I don't pig out when I'm stressed.
@getbrowser (1708)
• China
7 Nov 09
In fact, I have never heared of something about the food and stress. It seems that there are no direct relationship between comfort food and stress.
I believe that most people meet some troubles in their life. When I am in trouble or under stress, I won't choose to turn to food for relief. In my eyes, it is useless to release stress. It is really an amazing thing that some women under chronic stress often try to regain control through "rigid restraint" methods like skipping meals. No matter whether it is useful or not, after eating these comfort food, I guess they may feel comfortable.
It is more wise to try my best to overcome the difficulities other than turning to food for relief.
It is more wise to try my best to overcome the difficulities other than turning to food for relief. 
@giegrace (213)
• Philippines
7 Nov 09
What you described above can be termed as 'yo-yo dieting'; that is, the cycle of overeating, guilt, then skipping meals. Yes, women in particular, are more likely to resort to 'comfort food' when under stress.
It is interesting to note that women usually just eat ice cream or a bar of chocolate instead of a full meal. Although it gives you an impression that you're eating less, the calories are basically the same with that of a healthy regular meal (well-balanced diet). This happens to me a lot.
Whenever I'm stressed, i just cant help but eat.
