We all know that certain people respond to stress by eating more and eating “comfort” foods which typically consist of carbohydrates, sodium and or sugar based foods.    This is the phenomenon usually thought of as “stress eating”.  But a recent weight loss health tip warns us that not only does stress lead to bad eating habits for many people, but the relationship may also work the other way.

In this latest Science Daily article a research study that demonstrated stress when we avoid comfort foods is also at play. 

So, turning this research into a weight loss health tip – the advice is to first understand that when we take away our desire to deal with stress using food, we must substitute something else in its place or else further negative stress is added leading to an endless cycle of stress and eating.

In fact, the authors of this study went so far as talk about stress eating as an addiction with similar withdrawl response to other psychological and chemical addictions such as drugs or alcohol.

Finally – the scientific community is heading into the direction of proving that bad eating habits are an addiction.  That obesity in North America is the result (in many cases) of an addiction that is out of control.

So – just like any addiction, weight loss health tips must include stress management and emotional treatments just as they do include exercise, fitness and dietary treatments. 

Without understanding the addictive nature of comfort foods, we will never be able to realize our long-term weight loss goals.

Jeff