In this time of stress and sadness, it is very easy to give in to emotional eating. When we feel anxious, desperate, or just plain tired, we are all likely to reach for comfort foods, or, to overeat any type of food until we achieve a feeling of numbness.

The Stress Factor

It only stands to reason that if you are feeling anxious right now, you are reaching for cookies, cake, sweets or potato chips. These foods are reminiscent of childhood when you could eat nearly anything you wanted without gaining weight. But there is also a more subtle, physical reason: when we are stressed, a chemical produced by our brain called cortisol increases our appetite.

Fluctuating Feelings

In addition to the stress and anxiety we are all feeling, we are also experiencing sadness, anger and frustration, all of which are common emotional eating cues. Emotional eating is a problem for many people on an every day basis; it is only compounded by additional emotional turmoil.

What Should I Eat?

If you are not physically hungry, yet you feel that you simply must eat, you will most likely reach for something crunchy. Crunchy foods take longer to eat and help us divert our attention away from our feelings. High-carb foods like chips are crunchy as well. You can satisfy this craving with pretzels, baked chips, carrots sticks, or crunchy fruit like apples. Other good snacks to munch during stress are low-fat cheese and crackers, yogurt, or a peanut butter sandwich.

Healthy Alternatives

The best way to respond to your emotions is to face them head on. As difficult as it is to do, some of your best stress solutions right now will have nothing to do with eating. Here are some to try:

Write in your journal about your feelings and fears.
Write a letter to the firemen and rescuers in New York.
Make a quilt or cross-stitch memorializing the tragedy.
Write a story about the event from a rescuer's point of view.
Listen to some reassuring music like peaceful new age or relaxing classical.
Help local volunteers organize a fund-raising effort.
Put patriotic decorations up around your house.
Talk to someone close to you about your feelings.