With all the unpredictability of COVID-19, it’s easy to get nervous, fearful, or overwhelmed. Because food is comforting and stress-relieving, I’ve been hearing from clients and friends that they've been snacking more and overeating. So, they come to me for a solution.

This is such a common experience, and I want you to know there is a solution. You can be completely in control and at peace with how and when you eat, no matter the circumstance.

Overcoming Stress-Induced Eating - My Journey

If you’re wondering how, let me share how I did it, and a few of my clients:

How I Created Peace and Stopped Using Food to Manage Stress

When I was little, people called me a “worry wart.”

I’d get so stressed sometimes I couldn’t think straight. The best way to calm down was almost always food.

I used food for comfort without really thinking about it for the first 16 years of my life. In high school, I started to gain weight and become concerned about body image. This turned into a hormonal and emotional mess. I felt I needed to eat to feel better, but eating made me feel worse. Stress only increased as I got older. I overate more and more until I realized I didn’t have any control over how I ate any more. I developed an eating disorder.

Have you ever felt out of control with how you were snacking or eating?

Most of the clients I work with struggle with snacking too much and overeating at least sometimes, even if they don’t have an eating disorder. They seek sugar, processed foods, and comfort foods when they're stressed, bored, tired, or overwhelmed.

They come to me because food is no longer solving their emotional problems. In fact, it’s making them worse because they’re unhappy with weight gain, digestive issues, and their own lack of self-control. They feel stuck or frustrated.

I’ve seen this become even worse as we are now isolated in our own homes and overwhelmed by the uncertainty of a world pandemic.

I didn’t know this in high school, but food has a powerful comforting effect that is both psychological and physiological. It doesn’t just soothe hunger. Snacking creates a dopamine and endorphin rush in our brains. This makes us feel happier. Plus, food has emotional ties to comfort and joy that affect us as well.

Stress eating has always been a thing, so it just gets worse when life gets more uncertain. But, it’s nothing new.

So if the problem isn’t food or stress, how do we change the way we think?

I have a client I am working with who used to feel overwhelmed by the thought of cooking and eating healthy. So, she gave up on eating healthy at all.

She came to me when she realized she wanted to change her health and lose weight. She was overeating sugar, snacking all day, and more at night.

When we talked it through, we discovered that she believed healthy eating had to look a certain way and why she was resistant to that. She felt guilty and ashamed of not changing her habits, but she also didn’t want to or know how to do anything different.

When we separated healthy eating from all the terrible things she thought it had to be, she started to see how she could make health an easy, fun, and desirable thing. Now she’s excited about the food she makes and proud of how she cares for her body.

And her way of being healthy looks different than anyone else’s :).

When we understand that whatever is happening outside us or to us is completely separate from how we choose to be or respond, we can have freedom. That’s how.

After that, it just takes practice and support to create new habits and responses.

Now, if you hear yourself in any of this, I’d love to talk with you and help you create peace with food. I’d love to help you feel powerful and in control of your life, even in the midst of this chaotic time so that you can be your best self.

If you’d like that, come join my Facebook community where I teach how to manage stress and healthy eating, end overeating, cook and eat healthy at home, and more. Click here to join.

Or, if you know a friend who could use some support right now, share this article with them. Trust me, having felt stuck before, I know that a friend reaching out always helps.

Keep growing,

Coach Michelle

FAQs

How to Stop Stress Eating at Night?

Nighttime eating, especially when driven by stress, can lead to consuming more calories than needed and pose challenges in managing weight. Here are some strategies to help curb stress-induced nighttime eating:

• Keep a Food Journal: Keeping track of your eating patterns and identifying triggers for nighttime eating can provide insights. A food journal can help you recognize the emotional and situational cues that lead to stress eating at night.
• Meal Timing and Composition: Prioritize consuming more calories earlier in the day and opt for lighter meals at night. Studies suggest that eating later at night is associated with higher calorie intake and poorer diet quality, increasing the risk of weight gain.
• Protein and Balanced Eating: Including protein in your meals and eating more frequently throughout the day can reduce nighttime cravings. A balanced diet provides sustained energy and may contribute to better weight management.
• Swap Unhealthy Snacks: Opt for nutrient-rich options instead of unhealthy snacks. This not only helps in curbing cravings but also improves overall health.
• Occupying the Mind: Engage in activities that keep your mind occupied during the evening. This can help prevent mindless snacking and redirect your focus away from food.

How to Stop Stress Eating Sweets?

Stress eating sweets can be a specific challenge, and addressing it requires targeted strategies:

• Identify Triggers: Understand the specific situations or emotions that trigger your cravings for sweets. This awareness is crucial for developing effective coping mechanisms.
• Healthy Alternatives: Replace sugary snacks with healthier alternatives. Having fruits, nuts, or dark chocolate in moderation can satisfy your sweet tooth without derailing your wellness goals.
• Portion Control: Pay attention to portion sizes when consuming sweets. Using small plates or bowls and savoring each bite can help prevent overindulgence.
• Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can sometimes be mistaken for hunger, leading to cravings for sweets. Stay adequately hydrated throughout the day to control appetite.
• Mindful Eating: Practice mindful eating by savoring each bite, chewing slowly, and being present during meals. This can enhance satisfaction and reduce the likelihood of excessive sweet consumption.

How to Stop Stress Eating at Night During Exams?

Exam season can bring additional stress, leading to heightened emotions and potentially impacting eating habits. Here's how to manage stress eating at night during exams:

• Regular Meals: Maintain regular meals to ensure your body receives essential nutrients. Eating balanced meals can prevent extremes of overeating or undereating during stressful exam periods.
• Healthy Snacks: Choose nutritious snacks to sustain energy levels during long study sessions. This can provide flavor and sustenance without resorting to unhealthy options.
• Hydration: Stay adequately hydrated, as dehydration can affect brain alertness and may contribute to stress-induced cravings. Avoid excessive consumption of energy drinks and moderate your intake of coffee and tea.

Nutrient-Rich Foods: Consume nutrient-rich foods to support energy levels and focus during exams. A well-balanced diet contributes to overall well-being, both physically and mentally.