Ilana said it's a good idea to avoid stress eating in general. How does stress affect your weight? "Stress releases a hormone called cortisol," Erica Patel, MD, of the University of Southern California, told POPSUGAR in a previous interview. "[The release of cortisol] causes high blood sugar levels by promoting the breakdown of protein stores into glucose to be used as fuel.
Over time, persistently high levels of cortisol seen in stress promote the storage of excess glucose as fat in the abdomen, causing belly fat." Not to mention that the food you tend to reach for when you're stressed is typically high calorie and nutrient poor.
Instead of reaching for a sleeve of Oreos, find better coping strategies for dealing with stress. When you're anxious, upset, or feeling overwhelmed, try taking a walk, doing yoga or another workout, calling a friend, or journaling.