Registered dietitian nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein discusses the long-term risks of eating when stressed. Spending the holidays around family and friends can stir up a lot of emotions. And when festivities also incorporate lots of indulgent foods, it can be challenging to control emotional eating.
While the holidays are portrayed as a joyous season, it may not be the case for some, noted Dr. Brian Licuanan, a board-certified clinical psychologist in California. AS ELECTION NEARS, STRESS EATING NEEDS A SHARP EYE: ‘IT’S DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR' "For a lot of people out there, this .
.. part of the year is very emotionally distressing,," he said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
"They could have had a past loss, or maybe they had a fallout in a marriage ...
maybe they're navigating a medical condition." People tend to cope with stress through "comfort eating," a psychologist said. (iStock) Holidays can be a time of loneliness for those without family, Licuanan noted, as well as a "tumultuous" period for people who struggle with substance abuse .
"Comfort eating" is one way that people tend to cope with stress, he said. 5 WAYS TO SNEAK CDC'S HEALTHIEST VEGETABLE INTO YOUR DIET "When stress levels increase, we [look] to soothe that," he said. "During the holiday season, when food is in abundance, it makes it a little bit more difficult.
" The holidays can heighten stress levels, isolation and depression for some, an expert cautioned. (iStock) 5 ways to curb emotional eating Ser.