i am right there with you! when i am stressed, sad, depressed, anxious, etc my first thought is to eat something sweet or carb heavy... ugh.. it makes me feel good in the moment, but then i feel so bloated and guilty. something that has helped me has been to have "safe" foods I can munch on like 100 calorie popcorn or short cut carrots and hummus. it's a journey and it's harder some days more than others. hang in there!

SAME HERE GIRLS! uhg... i know what you mean! Im trying to steer away from the eating when stressed and now I go for COFFEE, with splenda and non-dairy creamer. Not nearly as many calories, and it fulfills that "sweet, rich" craving! plus, caffeine helps with stress and headaches...

I'm there BIG time. I now grow a lot of the foods I eat out in our gardens and they are very healthy foods so I no longer gain the weight I used to put on. I can eat all the bean soup I want and don't seem to gain any extra weight because of it. To stuff myself on bean soup I know I'm stressed. LOL Comfort without the weight gain. Can't get any better then that. ((hugs)) Patricia

I do the same thing... How did I ever get the idea that food=comfort. I think it must go back to when I was a little kid. For a long time I didn't ever realize what I was doing. Now that I'm aware of my actions I can use some positive self talk or reach out to family and friends when I need comforting instead of food.

I also had that same problem and suffered for years. Everytime I was upset, anxious, or stressed, I would overeat and reach for high fat foods and lots and lots of carbs. It was a vicious cycle and something that I was not proud about. I knew it was a problem when I started to eat in secret, especially in the late evening when everyone's sleeping.
I'm glad that you realize you have this problem. You will beat this habit I'm sure. Try to be more aware of your feelings and whenever you reach for that bag of chips, cookie, or muffin, ask yourself, does your body really deserve this? I think of my body as something that is so precious and deserves healthy foods. I also try not to eat after 8pm and exercise. It was difficult at first, but so worth it as I find myself feeling more free, more cheerful, and more alive! It is a process remember.

I was the same way. I'd say "i don't care!" and just stuff my face with ice cream. BUT now instead, I just do something really relaxing like take a long shower or listen to music.

You are so not alone. Stress is one of my biggest roadblocks when it comes to losing weight. We just need to find a different way to deal with it than turning to food. I'm going to try walking as an alternative to bingeing when stress hits. Even if I just walk around my house a few times, it's burning calories and keeping me away from the kitchen too. The popcorn and carrots is a good idea too. Not sure about the hummus, I've never tried it but I may have to now it's got me a little curious. ;)

Just like you I eat my way through stress and tough times and every negative emotion that comes my way. Annery, it is a battle but I've been helped a lot by people and groups here on DS especially the Overeaters Anonymous group and its members. I'm not saying OA may be for everyone but the 12 steps programms whatever the compulsion may be enjoy a lot of success, maybe check it out? Also another great group is the Weight Loss Buddies group where members are teamed up with other members and help and support each other, a great group. Hope I and others on this post have made you feel less alone with your problem.

I'm exactly like you... I'm going through a breakup with my boyfriend right now and have eating nothing but potato chips and cookie dough all day and I feel gross. I wish I could conquer the emotional eating because I have tons of fruits and vegetables but I haven't brought myself to eat them... I am actually feeling so sick and disgusted right now I might be rounding the corner...

When emotionally stressed, theres nothing like comfort food is there? There is a good reason why we turn to these foods in our time of emotional need. Potatoes, pastas and other carb-laden foods have serotonin-boosters. Serotonins are the hormones in our body which promote the feel-good factor.

But seriously, this is what works for me. I dont keep junk food in the house. I keep the fridge and kitchen cupboards filled with more healthy foods. That way, when I feel like binging, I have no option but to turn to something healthy. For instance, my craving for chocolate is satiated with a chocolate tea called CocoPure. One cup of CocoPure (30 calories) satisfies my craving for chocolate but it also contains green tea. Since green tea is a natural thermogenic, it helps the body to burn calories faster! There are lots of healthy alternatives you can find which taste good, are nutritious and help with weight maintenance.

The best way not to eat it is not to buy it in the first place so you do not reach for it when you want it

Thank you all for your response. It has helped me alot. I am getting there, i try to buy healthy food and munch on fruits or vegs whenever i feel i have to eat althoug i am not hungry.

I agree with the comment about not buying the stuff you know you shouldn't eat -- if it's hard to get (i.e. you have to get up off the couch and go buy the ice cream...you're less likely to!). And coffee...or a no-calorie beverage...yup. Finally I find that chewing gum helps -- especially if I'm stressed out -- the chewing action helps me calm down, and a really strong-flavored piece of sugarless gum helps with cravings. Another idea -- when you think you're going to reach for something you really don't want/need...pass the kitchen, head into the bathroom and brush your teeth! Again, motion helps with stress, and most things don't taste great right on top of toothpaste! Finally, think up something to replace the eating...do you like to use good-smelling lotions, or go for a walk or even give yourself 10-15 minutes to play a game or listen to music? Tell yourself, intentionally, that you're going to give yourself a non-food reward when you need it...and look forward to that!!

One of the best calorie "bargains" to munch on when veggies just aren't going to do it for ya, is that measured 100 calorie popcorn! Only takes 90 seconds in the microwave and is really filling. For chocolate, I find that an 80 calorie cup of cocoa mix can satisfy my need for a chocolate "fix". Read the labels, tho, some hot chocolate mixes are as much as 120 calories. Get the 80 calorie one! Try freezing a cup of low-fat yogurt right in its container! When frozen, you've got no choice but to eat it slowly! Eating fast is a big problem for many of us. We can chow down a lot of calories in 5 or 10 minutes. Our body needs more time than that to register fullness or satisfaction. As for drowning our emotional sorrows in food, it doesn't help. The happiness is momentary. Call a friend, talk to God, listen to music!

I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! and I am also very clueless about this...