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Why it packs on pounds: Yes, we're talking about stress eating, but a specific kind that you may not be aware of. Recent research in
Neuron found that people exposed to a
moderately stressful event before mealtime made less healthy choices than the calm control group, likely explained by the fact that brain scans revealed less activity in areas of the brain that govern our self-control. So, even if you have every intention of getting that lentil chili, even moderate stress might make it harder to stick to your guns when you smell pizza wafting through the air.
The fix: If you can, try to avoid stressful activities right before lunch. If that sounds like a pipe dream (we get it), keep healthy snacks on hand so you're not heading to lunch ravenous. Tamara Melton, RDN, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, recommends eating something every three to four hours to keep hunger pangs in check, especially if you're an early bird who ate breakfast hours ago.
