Stress Eating...

**kygirl** · 03-01-2010 01:26 PM

I am trying really hard to be good and eat things that are good for me. But I have been so stressed out lately and then I head straight to the junk food...

any suggestions on how to avoid stress eating?? I am at a desk about 8.5 hours a day usually... Before I head to class...

**sourpuss** · 03-01-2010 01:44 PM

Where is the junk food? If you don't have access to it, you won't eat it. Stock your pantry and backpack full of cut up veggies, fruit and granola bars.

**kygirl** · 03-01-2010 01:48 PM

I don't keep it at home, but at work it's all over the place...always some kind of donuts or cookies or work lunch where they pick food and bring it in for us...

**KMonte85** · 03-01-2010 01:48 PM

it goes without saying, but drinking lots of water will help to.

IDK about you, but when I'm sitting at a desk for 9ish hrs a day, I can easily forget how little water I consumed.

So when you catch yourself going to grab that snack, grab a nice tall glass of icewater instead. I bet it will help curb your urge to eat something, and will help to keep you properly hydrated!

**sourpuss** · 03-01-2010 01:49 PM

Ugh. I know how you feel. I used to work at a place like that.
Just be prepared with your own healthy snacks so you don't grab those things when you're hungry.

**kygirl** · 03-01-2010 01:51 PM

It's horrible...then you get these looks like you're outsider because you didn't want the birthday cake..Normally I just resist, but when I'm stressed and it's in my face it's hard... Maybe I should make some "healthier" baked goods to get me through the next couple of weeks until things slow down... If I'm gonna eat it, half the calories would at least be better...UGH

**Hopeless Dork** · 03-01-2010 02:34 PM

Good old comfort carbs... I am not immune to them beckoning me when my mood is off. BUT... they are but a temporary fix and usually leave you feeling worse than you were before... and then add guilt to the mix too.

Create NEW comfort foods, if you are a stress snacker...create some snacks to bring with you that fill the need to graze when anxious but do not pack the same caloric punch as a bag of cheetos (oh cheetos, they do call me sometimes)

Celery, radishes, seaweed, pickles (not too many cuz of the sodium) loaded salads with fat free vinagrettes, cucumbers (i slice em and pretend they are pototo chips).

Chewing a sugarless gum can keep your mouth busy and calm the cravings as well. Low calorie suckers or lollypops can also keep that in the mouth need under control.

**kygirl** · 03-03-2010 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by Hopeless Dork

Good old comfort carbs... I am not immune to them beckoning me when my mood is off. BUT... they are but a temporary fix and usually leave you feeling worse than you were before... and then add guilt to the mix too.

Create NEW comfort foods, if you are a stress snacker...create some snacks to bring with you that fill the need to graze when anxious but do not pack the same caloric punch as a bag of cheetos (oh cheetos, they do call me sometimes)

Celery, radishes, seaweed, pickles (not too many cuz of the sodium) loaded salads with fat free vinagrettes, cucumbers (i slice em and pretend they are pototo chips).

Chewing a sugarless gum can keep your mouth busy and calm the cravings as well. Low calorie suckers or lollypops can also keep that in the mouth need under control.

I am trying to eat lots of apples since they are soooo filling and also lots of other fruits. I have recently gotten into pistachios and almonds too. I feel like I can eat just enough to kick the salty craving while still getting some nutritional content.

Now I just need the Girls Scouts to go back into hiding and to quit tempting me with the bright colored boxes of cookies

**Hotchick** · 03-03-2010 11:11 PM

try relaxing a bit and do light exercise everyday!

**Hopeless Dork** · 03-04-2010 12:55 AM

Originally Posted by kygirl

I am trying to eat lots of apples since they are soooo filling and also lots of other fruits. I have recently gotten into pistachios and almonds too. I feel like I can eat just enough to kick the salty craving while still getting some nutritional content.

Now I just need the Girls Scouts to go back into hiding and to quit tempting me with the bright colored boxes of cookies

Be really careful to monitor your portions with the nuts. Nuts are healthy but the serving size is so small and still packs a pretty heavy calorie punch.