3.6. Emotional Eating
depressed
SAID
Indulgences were more likely to be consumed when feeling emotional, and this was observed as the most difficult time to try and say no. Specific examples given included when participants felt tired, sad, depressed, or stressed. During these times, the ability to resist eating indulgences often waned and participants “gave in” and consumed indulgences. This was explained by one participant who said
“Yeah, so I find, you know, I go to bed and I’m trying not to be stressed but as soon as I start thinking about planning for the rest of the week, I think that’s when it gets stressful which is when I’m more likely to eat the packet of Twisties or the ice cream and the stuff before I go to sleep.” Female, 54 years. Another participant spoke about stressing over their weight encouraging more eating: “It’s just, I want to go down to 70 kilo at least, because now it’s over the top. And the more I stress the more I eat, and now I’m thinking, what’s going on?” Female, 61 years.