For most people both stress and sadness triggers emotional eating. People in a negative emotional state tend to crave sweets more than those in a positive frame of mind. Research by Cornell University food scientists found that a person’s emotional state can influence the taste of food and drive the acceptability of foods.
When you are emotionally stressed, food you normally find less appealing will become even more unappealing. Foods that you enjoy, you’ll crave. If you are unhappy you are more likely to reach for cookies and ice cream rather than a bowl of broccoli. Real life events will trigger the foods you choose. Just knowing this can prevent you from overdoing emotional eating. Tough day at work – eat some ice cream, but keep it to a normal 1 cup portion not a soup bowl full.
