Stress is something we have felt a lot of lately. Whether positive or negative, stress can take a toll on our eating habits. In fact, research shows the foods we eat and the emotions we feel are
closely linked. The urge to stress eat is normal, but over time the comfort of our favorite foods wanes. Fortunately, there are a variety of tips and tricks people can apply to manage stress
eating while still savoring favorite comfort foods. To support people in creating their personalized approach for managing stress eating, the Marion County Family and Consumer Science Agent held the workshops in September 2022 throughout the Lincoln Trail Area for the Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association members. 

The program focused on what stress eating is, reasons we stress eat, strategies for managing stress eating, and tips for enjoying comfort foods. Extension developed this program to normalize stress eating and provide people with knowledge, skills, and confidence to identify and manage stress eating in ways that work for them. The goal of this program is to increase knowledge about why stress makes it harder to make nutritious choices and strategies for managing stress eating. A total of twenty women of the Homemakers Association participated in the workshops throughout the counties of Breckinridge, Grayson, Meade, LaRue, Nelson, and Marion. The participants completed a Stress Reflection Worksheet, where they got to reflect on how they feel when they are stressed and how their eating behaviors might differ when feeling stressed compared to normal. The participants also filled out a Stress Eating Toolbox, where they placed the top three tips of managing stress eating that they would like to implement into their life.

Of those surveyed following the program, 85% stated they had a better understanding of reasons stress makes it harder to make nutritious choices. Additionally, 80% of participants said they had a better understanding of strategies to manage stress eating and 95% said they intend to apply those strategies during times of stress. Participants also indicated they better understood ways to mindfully enjoy comfort foods and 95% intend to do so.