Is Your Snack Craving Election-Driven? Find Out!

Is Your Snack Craving Election-Driven? Find Out! | Credits: Shutterstock
Is Your Snack Craving Election-Driven? Find Out! | Credits: Shutterstock

United States: The impending presidential election might catalyze an uptick in unneeded—and often detrimental—snacking habits.

Various studies suggest that emotional consumption tends to increase during turbulent periods, such as political events, sports championships, and other stress-inducing occasions.

Recent findings in the journal Nutrients characterize emotional eating as a “notable risk factor for repeated weight gain,” according to Fox News.

The research highlights the connection between emotional eating and health concerns like obesity, depression, anxiety, and heightened stress levels.

Researchers concluded that identifying alternative, healthier ways to process negative emotions can avert these adverse outcomes.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Ilana Muhlstein, a registered dietitian nutritionist based in Los Angeles, noted a pronounced rise in emotional eating among her clients during stressful episodes.

Having supported private clients through three presidential election cycles, Muhlstein observed a “consistent spike in emotional eating behavior” both before and after the elections.

“People sit on the couch, watching debates or post-debate commentary, and before they realize it, they’ve devoured an entire bag of chips or a box of cookies—a destructive cycle,” she explained.

Even during “heart-pounding sports matches,” Muhlstein said, people often resort to mindless snacking in an attempt to gain a sense of control over an uncertain situation.

“When uncertainty looms—when there’s a pervasive feeling of limbo—people frequently misinterpret that unsettled feeling as hunger,” she added, as per Fox News.

Emotional Eating and Weight Loss Struggles

Muhlstein identified emotional eating as one of the most significant obstacles faced by clients struggling with weight management.

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“Until we tackle emotional eating, losing weight is an uphill battle, and keeping the weight off becomes even more challenging,” she emphasized.

Emotional eating is deeply ingrained in American culture, according to Muhlstein, as many food corporations have perpetuated the narrative that food is a quick fix for emotional distress.

While indulging in sweets during joyous moments, such as birthdays or celebrations, doesn’t have lasting negative effects, using food to cope with negative emotions can lead to unhealthy habits, as per Fox News.

“We enjoy treats like cake or cookies to amplify positive experiences,” she said. “If you pair a slice of cake with an otherwise healthy meal, you can still lose weight and feel good about your body that week.”

LEAN MEANS PROTEIN: HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU BE EATING? NUTRITIONIST REVEALS THE ANSWERS

However, when food is consumed in moments of stress—whether it’s due to a job loss, a breakup, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the news—it often leads to a long-term, unhealthy relationship with food.

“If you’re hastily eating cake to numb difficult emotions or to get a fleeting dopamine boost, that’s where the problem lies,” Muhlstein noted.

Addiction Potential in Emotional Eating

Emotional eaters tend to gravitate towards sugar-laden and fat-rich foods, which often have addictive qualities.

Muhlstein cautioned that the brain’s nucleus accumbens—the pleasure center—releases dopamine when we consume processed foods high in sugar, salt, fat, and artificial flavors.

“Extensive research shows a link between consuming ultra-processed foods and the release of these feel-good chemicals in our bodies,” she remarked, according to Fox News.

“When we snack on cookies devoid of fiber, or candy filled with sugars and syrups, they neither satisfy nor sustain us, leading to a perpetual cycle of overindulgence.”

Feelings of guilt following unhealthy eating bouts often exacerbate emotional eating patterns, Muhlstein said, adding that many people “punish themselves” for indulging in unhealthy snacks.

Studies indicate that individuals who feel guilty about overeating are more prone to emotional eating and are likelier to maintain poor eating habits.

Strategies for Combating Emotional Eating

Muhlstein encourages individuals to shed the shame and guilt associated with emotional eating and adopt a more positive perspective toward their eating behaviors.

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“If you repeatedly tell yourself, ‘I’m a stress eater,’ you reinforce that identity, making it more likely you’ll reach for food the next time you’re stressed,” she explained.

Conversely, Muhlstein suggested that if you tell yourself, “I manage stress by taking a walk, journaling, or practicing mindful activities like yoga,” you’ll gradually begin to adopt these healthier coping strategies, as per Fox News.

One simple way to curb emotional eating is by removing high-sugar, high-fat, ultra-processed foods from the home.

“Set up your environment for success,” Muhlstein advised. “When stressful moments arise, you won’t be tempted by those easy, quick-fix foods.”

She also recommended adopting healthier stress-management tactics, such as regular exercise, practicing deep breathing, and staying well-hydrated during high-stress periods.