The upcoming presidential election could trigger a wave of unhealthy snacking habits among Americans.
According to Fox News, emotional eating often spikes during stressful periods like political events and sports playoffs. Recent research published in the journal Nutrients has identified emotional eating as a significant risk factor for recurring weight gain.
Ilana Muhlstein, a Los Angeles-based registered dietitian nutritionist, reports observing increased emotional eating among her clients during election seasons.
She notes that this behavior tends to surge both before and after elections, as people engage in mindless snacking while watching debates and commentary.
Muhlstein emphasizes that emotional eating is one of the primary obstacles her clients face when trying to lose weight and keep it off. The nutritionist explains that many food companies in American culture have promoted the idea that food is the solution to emotional discomfort.
While indulging in treats during positive occasions may not have long-term negative impacts, eating unhealthy foods to cope with negative situations can lead to problematic relationships with food. Muhlstein distinguishes between enjoying a slice of cake as part of a celebratory meal and consuming cake rapidly to alleviate stress from watching distressing news.
Emotional eaters often gravitate towards foods high in sugar and fat, which can have addictive qualities. Muhlstein explains that consuming processed foods with balanced sugar, salt, and fat content stimulates the nucleus accumbens in the brain, releasing dopamine.
She states:
When we're eating things like cookies that have no fiber … or we're having lots of candy that's just sugar, syrups, flavorings and dyes, it never really fills us up and never satisfies us.
This cycle can lead to guilt, which may exacerbate emotional eating patterns. Studies have shown that individuals who feel guilty about overeating are more likely to continue poor eating habits.
Muhlstein advises adopting a positive mindset to break the cycle of emotional eating. She suggests reframing stress responses by encouraging healthier coping mechanisms like walking, journaling, or practicing mindfulness techniques such as meditation or yoga.
A practical approach to preventing emotional eating is to remove trigger foods from the home environment. Muhlstein recommends:
You want to set your environment up for success. That way, when you are stressed, you don't have those quick-fix foods that trigger you.
Additionally, she suggests incorporating healthier stress management techniques like exercise, deep breathing, and staying hydrated during high-stress situations.
The presidential election's approach signals a potential rise in emotional eating. By recognizing this trend and implementing proactive strategies, individuals can maintain healthier eating habits during politically charged times. Awareness of the connection between stress and food consumption empowers people to make conscious choices that support their overall well-being, even in the face of election-related anxiety.
