Are you stress eating? That is what it's called when we eat for any reason such as stressed, upset, depressed. What do you do to control this kind of eating?

Here are some tips which I hope will help.


My personal favorite thing to do although I do the rest of these is I pray, however that is my own personal way of dealing with stress, because I know it will make me stronger once i'm through the problem at hand.

However,when you're under stress, you may find it harder to keep up healthy-eating habits. Also, during particularly stressful times, you may eat in an attempt to fulfill emotional needs, which is sometimes called stress eating. And you may be especially likely to eat high-calorie foods during times of stress, even when you're not hungry.

To combat weight problems during stress and reduce the risk of obesity, you need to get a handle on your stress. When you feel less stressed and more in control of your life, you may find it easier to stick to healthy-eating and exercise habits. Try these stress management techniques to combat stress-related weight gain:

■Recognize the warning signs of stress, such as anxiety, irritability and muscle tension.

■Before eating, ask yourself why you're eating — are you truly hungry or do you feel stressed or anxious?

■If you're tempted to eat when you're not hungry, find a distraction.

■Don't skip meals, especially breakfast.

■Identify comfort foods and keep them out of
your house or office.

■Keep a record of your behavior and eating
habits so that you can look for patterns and connections — and then overcome them.

■Learn problem-solving skills so that you can anticipate challenges and cope with setbacks.

■Practice relaxation skills, such as yoga, massage or meditation.


■Engage in regular physical activity or exercise.

■Get adequate sleep.

■Get encouragement from supportive friends and family.

If you try stress management techniques on your own but they don't seem to be working, consider seeking professional help through psychotherapy or counseling.



For more tips come see:

Melanie Nobbe, CDM,CFPP
Love Your Heart Catering and Carry-Out