Success StoryStress Eating in Kentucky
Stress Eating in Kentucky
Author: Nan Montgomery
Planning Unit: Allen County CES
Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General
Plan of Work: Improve Physical and Mental Health
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
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 Allen County Extension Office held a workshop in February 2025. 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. 25 people participated in the workshop. The workshop consisted of homemakers from various counties in southern Kentucky. Of those surveyed following the program, 92% stated they had a better understanding of reasons stress makes it harder to make nutritious choices. Additionally, 94% of participants said they had a better understanding of strategies to manage stress eating and 92% said they intend to apply those strategies during times of stress. Participants also indicated they better understood ways to mindfully enjoy comfort foods 94% and 92% intend to do so.
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