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Apparently 40 percent of people stress-eat, 40 percent of people stressfully lose their appetites, and 20 percent of people do neither, according to this funny conversation between Vox’s Rachel Sugar and associate professor of psychology and director of UCLA’s Dieting, Stress, and Health Lab A. Janet Tomiyama.
As much as we malign it, stress-eating, or comfort-eating, does apparently do what it’s supposed to: when we stress-eat, we are genuinely comforted. Studies show that stress-eating “seems to be effective,” Tomiyama says. “Not just psychologically, but also biologically — people who do a lot of comfort eating tend to show a reduced level of stress hormones and stress.” (Furthermore: “You’re not doing the comfort eating because you’re some sort of weak-willed human being; you’re biologically driven to do this.”)
While they acknowledge that sugar and fat are the food substances most commonly known to ping the brain’s comfort and reward center, they also discuss the sort of heartbreaking ways we might reconfigure our own brains to be comforted by healthier foods, like strawberries. Here’s Tomiyama:
So in a study that we’re running right now, we’re trying to do a mind hack to get people to be really calmed and soothed by strawberries, or whatever fruit. We’re literally doing Pavlovian classical conditioning: We’re having people do a relaxation exercise and eat fruit at the same time, and we have them do that over and over and over and over again, with the hope that eventually, just the strawberry alone will automatically elicit this relaxation response.
In college I gained weight once by stress-eating fruit. I’d line up a melon, a mango, and a grapefruit, and then eat them all, one after the other, until it felt painful, and then I’d go to sleep, feeling virtuous. Why are we all so insane? We may never know.
Popular Questions
Why might I feel comforted by a strawberry?
A strawberry can feel comforting because its bright color, sweet flavor, and fresh aroma create a pleasant sensory experience. Eating one slowly may offer a brief moment of enjoyment when you feel stressed or emotionally tired. Notice which part of the experience feels soothing, such as the taste, texture, or memory connected to strawberries.
How can I recreate the comfort I’ve found in a strawberry?
Wash a few ripe strawberries and eat them mindfully without rushing. Pay attention to their scent, juiciness, sweetness, and texture while taking slow breaths. You can also pair them with plain yogurt or another nourishing food to turn the experience into a satisfying snack.
Is being comforted by a strawberry a healthy way to cope with difficult feelings?
Using a strawberry as a small source of comfort can be a healthy choice when it fits into your overall eating pattern. It may provide enjoyment and a short pause, but it should not be your only way to handle ongoing sadness or stress. If difficult feelings persist, combine soothing foods with supportive habits such as talking to someone, resting, walking, or seeking professional help.