Finding replacements for stress eating!

standerflutestudio

I'm a mom of three who is staying home after seven years of teaching. Looking for people who want to start new habits in place of stress eating!

ljswartz33

Me! I'm a stay at home mom of 2, been home for 2 years and keep going to the kitchen when I'm stressed, tired, bored, etc. What do you instead of stress eating?

clicketykeys

I usually swear or slam things around. Lower calories, but it scares the cats.

anaxmann

I try not to buy things that I stress eat (mostly peanut butter and chips), so now stress eating involves mostly pickles. Also, if I stay out of the kitchen I eat a lot less.

RelCanonical

I don't tend to stress eat fruits and vegetables, so I try not to keep anything in a "ready-to-eat" form that I would stress eat on.

kori333

I keep a supply of gum and try to reach for that. The chewing helps relieve some stress. Or just have a good cry. I struggle badly with emotional eating, so I'm trying hard not to bury my feelings with food.

Machka9

Exercise ... brisk walks, bicycle rides, etc.

hzl22

I clean .. but that's not as fun

Niki_Fitz

hzl22 wrote: »

I clean .. but that's not as fun

Me too

Niki_Fitz

standerflutestudio wrote: »

I'm a mom of three who is staying home after seven years of teaching. Looking for people who want to start new habits in place of stress eating!

I'm in! It's hard with little ones as they eat things that are more portable and snack-able like cereal or fruit with peanut butter. Can be hard to avoid when stressed/exhausted! I like the exercise suggestions and the idea of just not buying snacks. The kids do survive without crackers etc.

mystgrl28

Keeping an eye on this thread, as i stress eat a lot! Actually, stress is not the only trigger im an emotional eater. I eat when im happy, when im sad, when im bored, etc. Dont keep any snacks in the house, but i'd quite happily cook and eat anyway. Portion control is my downfall i'm trying meal planning at the moment to teach me portion control but just end up eating a whole meal out of schedule. Hahahaha!

I need something to eat without calories. And cant do gum as i have braces!

mamabear1114

I stopped buying my "trigger foods". When I'm stressed, I will want one of these foods and then a little taste turns into a binge. Things like candy bars, cookies, potato chips etc. Now I just have to deal with my emotions like an emotionally stable person YEESH.

victory4u2002

Prayer helps a lot, truly.

amiraammora

mamabear1114 wrote: »

I stopped buying my "trigger foods". When I'm stressed, I will want one of these foods and then a little taste turns into a binge. Things like candy bars, cookies, potato chips etc. Now I just have to deal with my emotions like an emotionally stable person YEESH.

Good for you!! Im exactly like that, working on the stable part

mamabear1114

amiraammora wrote: »

mamabear1114 wrote: »

I stopped buying my "trigger foods". When I'm stressed, I will want one of these foods and then a little taste turns into a binge. Things like candy bars, cookies, potato chips etc. Now I just have to deal with my emotions like an emotionally stable person YEESH.

Good for you!! Im exactly like that, working on the stable part

LOL! It will come in time. It's really not easy to break bad habits like that. I still have bad days, and I accept that. But at least if you don't keep that stuff in the house, then if you do slip up, it won't be as detrimental. I know I definitely never stress ate vegetables until I felt sick. Lol. You will get there. ))

Niki_Fitz

mamabear1114 wrote: »

I stopped buying my "trigger foods".

Now I just have to deal with my emotions like an emotionally stable person YEESH.

Agree completely. Even if the kids or my husband like it, I am not beholden to buying junk food! I am so emotional... it takes a lot some days.

Staying busy helps. Learning how to rest. I use MFP to just take a break sometimes and it really helps!

victory4u2002 wrote: »

Prayer helps a lot, truly.

Like.

leannamvaughan

mystgrl28 wrote: »

Keeping an eye on this thread, as i stress eat a lot! Actually, stress is not the only trigger im an emotional eater. I eat when im happy, when im sad, when im bored, etc. Dont keep any snacks in the house, but i'd quite happily cook and eat anyway. Portion control is my downfall i'm trying meal planning at the moment to teach me portion control but just end up eating a whole meal out of schedule. Hahahaha!

I need something to eat without calories. And cant do gum as i have braces!

I feel the same! I usually have to do 2 or 3 larger meals a day cause I stress eat. It's easier for me to stay in my calorie range by only letting myself eat a few times a day, but letting me get pretty full!

nb4802

I agree that it's so hard not to eat when stressed or feeling emotional. I'm really struggling to find the motivation lately. It's especially hard when other people in your household still want to buy and eat the fattening foods and then you just get tempted. If you're more of a snacker like me, then I think that ice lollies are one of the best low fat snacks, that still feels like a treat.

mystgrl28

I dont even have trigger foods to avoid i can eat whatever, doesnt matter to me. I've recognised it is impulse control and will power i am very low on, but i am so bad at motivating myself and most times i self-sabotage i've fallen off the bandwagon and gotten on again so many times i feel like all of this is too much effort sometimes and i might as well die as a gorgeous, fat lady wahahhahahahahahaha

jgnatca

Hot bubble bath.

Unknown

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Niki_Fitz

nb4802 wrote: »

. It's especially hard when other people in your household still want to buy and eat the fattening foods and then you just get tempted.

My husband eats anything he wants, drinks every night, treats the kids to ice cream.... none of them have to watch calories. None of them are emotional eaters. Grrrr

Niki_Fitz

mystgrl28 wrote: »

I dont even have trigger foods to avoid i can eat whatever, doesnt matter to me. I've recognised it is impulse control and will power i am very low on, but i am so bad at motivating myself and most times i self-sabotage i've fallen off the bandwagon and gotten on again so many times i feel like all of this is too much effort sometimes and i might as well die as a gorgeous, fat lady wahahhahahahahahaha

You are gorgeous no matter what your size! Haha sorry that's cheesy. I'm trying affirmations again.

I don't know if it's willpower. I struggle w food but I don't eat enough and I binge. I'm tracking calories to make sure I eat enough! And slowly I don't feel like I have to eat everything. I just have to eat enough, at the right times.

runfiremamarun

Remember it's wasted/ waisted either way. I can throw out the waste or I put it on my waist. This usually helps me keep perspective in a stressful or emotional moment.

GeorgiePie88

I find at times when I'm regularly going to the gym, I feel less stressed and am less likely to binge. At times when I'm not regularly going, the stress creeps back up and I start stuffing my face with everything.

I don't keep anything junky in the house to prevent myself from binging on that kind of stuff, but work is really diffcult as there is always free food in the office. And at work, I am also more stressed than I am at home.

It's a work in progress, but I find turning to tea and coffee to be my vice in replacement of free junk at work. It's not the same, but it can help curb my desire a little bit. Gum also helps, and having healthy foods in my desk drawer. I also have packaged soup. Drinking a hot and savoury soup out of a mug is warm and comforting, which usually does the trick.

If all else fails and I want to keep stuffing my face, I turn to the healthy snacks I have in my desk drawer. At the end of the day, if I end up binging on nuts it's still better (nutritional-wise) than binging on cookies...

alijune74

mystgrl28 wrote: »

Keeping an eye on this thread, as i stress eat a lot! Actually, stress is not the only trigger im an emotional eater. I eat when im happy, when im sad, when im bored, etc. Dont keep any snacks in the house, but i'd quite happily cook and eat anyway. Portion control is my downfall i'm trying meal planning at the moment to teach me portion control but just end up eating a whole meal out of schedule. Hahahaha!

I need something to eat without calories. And cant do gum as i have braces!

alijune74

I have been using L-Theanine every day for stress. By reducing the stress I have been able to stick to my plan...only one healthy carb a day and no sugar. Lots of fruit, veggies, and no red meat. It's only been a few days so far, but it seems to be working.

Getting enough sleep really seems to help too! Using magnesium at night for that.

After 2-3 days the bad sugar cravings are gone!

paigele

Running/cycling, and Gardening!!! :0) Also do you sew? Learn how to make rag quilts (they're easy) or take on painting.

jlynn1991

I'm a single mom in college. During the semester I always keep grapes on hand. They are great for a guilt free stress eating session. Lately I have managed to channel the stress into organizing everything in the house and drinking different teas for relaxation and that has helped me a lot.

mystgrl28

wellnesschaser wrote: »

You are gorgeous no matter what your size! Haha sorry that's cheesy. I'm trying affirmations again.

I don't know if it's willpower. I struggle w food but I don't eat enough and I binge. I'm tracking calories to make sure I eat enough! And slowly I don't feel like I have to eat everything. I just have to eat enough, at the right times.

Awww haha thanks! I just really need to stay away from food as once i start, i cant stop!