Why do we get cravings when we're stressed?

[burtonator]

OK.... so I was just dealing with money issues for this month and all of a sudden getting REALLY stressed out. I ended up realizing I calculated things wrong and realized that WHILE I was stressed I was REALLY craving chocolate, or a latte, or a boba ....

I assume that your brain is associating the resulting endorphin and sugar rush from eating sweets with the reduction of stress and triggered the craving.

Anyway.... I'm having my sparkling water now which helps push back my craving.......

Thoughts?

[Elizellen]

I think you have hit it on the head - Dr Brain is used to prescribing sweets for the symptoms of stress, so when it starts you automaticaly think of eating those old comforts.

We need to reprogramme our brain by not giving in to the demand (I think of it as similar to a toddler's temper tantrum!) and substituting a new solution instead. Some people find that doing some exercise or having a long soak in the bath with some nice luxurious 'smellies' or candles does the trick. Or if you are hungry eat a legal snack - try to have some really yummy alternatives to your old 'no-no' food.

Your action of drinking some sparkling water is a good idea too - I often order that when out with others, makes it seem more like a choice of drink!! and with ice and a slice of lemon is very refreshing!

If we dont give in, thus reinforcing the old pattern, our brains will eventually accept that we now have a new solution for stress and start 'prescribing' more exercise or a highfat snack instead.

[not2late]

I think it's also due to memory and association. Many of us were done a great disservice by well-meaning parents and adults when we were children: they used food in order to comfort or reward us. For example, if we were feeling sad, they gave us a cookie to make us feel better. So when we are now stressed (sad, lonely, whatever), we go back to the things that give us comfort as children.