How can chronic stress affect eating habits?

Chronic stress significantly impacts eating habits, and one of the most common consequences is the tendency to engage in emotional eating. When individuals experience prolonged stress, they often seek comfort in food, particularly in high-calorie, sugary, or fatty options. This response can be attributed to the body’s release of stress hormones such as cortisol, which can increase cravings for these types of foods. The brain often associates eating with stress relief, leading to a cycle where individuals cope with stress by consuming high-calorie foods, thereby potentially impacting their overall health and nutritional status.

This connection between stress and cravings for specific food types illustrates how psychological factors can influence dietary choices, often leading to an imbalance in nutrition. The option suggesting that chronic stress leads to a decreased appetite for healthy foods reflects a broader understanding of how stress can alter preferences and desires, pushing individuals away from making healthy choices and toward comfort foods instead.