Definition of «stress eating»

Stress eating refers to the practice of consuming food in response to stress or emotional distress. It is often used as a coping mechanism to deal with feelings of anxiety, depression or other negative emotions. People may turn to comfort foods such as chocolate, ice cream or other high-calorie snacks to help them feel better in the moment. However, stress eating can lead to unhealthy habits and weight gain if not managed properly.

Usage examples

Stress eating is a common reaction to academic pressures. For example, during exam week, students often find themselves stress eating, consuming large amounts of unhealthy snacks to cope with stress.
Stress eating can also occur in the workplace. For instance, employees facing tight deadlines or demanding projects may resort to stress eating by indulging in sugary or high-calorie foods.
Relationship issues can also trigger stress eating. For instance, when going through a breakup or having an argument with a partner, some individuals may turn to stress eating as a way to comfort themselves emotionally.
Financial stress can lead to stress eating as well. Individuals facing financial difficulties might find solace in unhealthy foods, as they provide temporary relief from their stress and worries.
Some people turn to stress eating during periods of uncertainty or change, such as moving to a new city or starting a new job. The anxiety and discomfort associated with these scenarios may lead individuals to seek comfort in food, resulting in stress eating.

Sentences with «stress eating»

Developing the habit of stress eating probably took years, and it will take some time for you to completely break the habit. (wallerwellness.com)
Thank goodness you have these muffins for stress eating. (ohladycakes.com)
And because I had that emotional response, it's something I need to pay attention to because it will probably come up again, maybe with stress eating. (eatstopeat.org)
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