Stressed Monkeys Overeat Too

Posted by Melissa on June 2, 2008 at 10:51am

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So what's the significance of this story? Well, I hope it helps some who tend to get so angry with themselves when they succumb to eating under stress. No, I don't believe this study means that we can't take charge of overeating, but I think it does show that emotional eating is complex and that our appetites are driven by a number of different issues and realities. The desire to eat to cope with emotions and stress is something that should be approached with respect. Ignoring the cravings or the urges doesn't necessarily get us where we want to go.

I think the story supports the importance of having tools to cope with stress, to bolster our self-care and to help us feel empowered--tools that we can strive to use instead of overeating or stress eating. What do you think?

Take good care,

Melissa

Originally posted at Peace With Cake

Tags: eating, emotional, overeating, stress

Comment by Ask The Dietitian on June 2, 2008 at 1:48pm: I'm wondering why there is a blank white space where the video should be on the main page. Where's the geek mobile?

Comment by Melissa on June 2, 2008 at 1:52pm: Hi Diana,
I was wondering the same thing, but now I can see it. Can you see it now? It's on my blog: http://endingemotionaleating.blogspot.com/2008/06/stressed-monkeys-overeat.html if you still can't see it.
Melissa

Comment by Ask The Dietitian on June 2, 2008 at 1:56pm: Yes, I can see it on your blog page.

Comment by David on June 2, 2008 at 6:59pm: Me too, your blog post on the front of IA, is blank. Can you switch it around?

Comment by Melissa on June 2, 2008 at 7:33pm: How do I do that? I only posted it once--on my page? I need a geek consultant!

Comment by Sugar and Sprouts on June 2, 2008 at 7:37pm: Stress definitely causes overeating. Ironically I just posted something on Hybrid Mom http://hybridmom.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=2038801%3ATopic%3A5582 on the eating habits of kids. I was raised to feel lots of stress at dinner if I wasn't hungry because I knew I'd sit at the table staring at a cold plate of food until bedtime (and likely be grounded or even spanked for not eating). I learned to just eat to make everyone happy and still, when stressed I have been known to down a whole pint (why lie? TWO pints) of Ben & Jerry's.

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Comment by Lisa Newton on June 2, 2008 at 10:31pm: Stress and eating definately go together. I know I sometimes have issues with this. You asked about ideas to help control our stress without food, so my favorite remedy is exercise. I know it sounds very typical, but it works, especially if I can exercise in the morning. I'm more relaxed and ready to take on the challenges of the day.