Do you sometimes find yourself reaching for food or something to put in your mouth even when you aren’t hungry? Does eating seem to calm your nerves? Do you seek comfort foods such as chicken noodle soup or macaroni and cheese when things are not going well in your life? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may be a stress eater.

When stress levels increase the body responds by producing different hormones, one of which is cortisol. Stress in our lives can lead to cortisol levels that are continuously elevated, which may be linked to the food cravings many of us experience during these stressful situations.

How can you control the impulse to reach for food to calm your nerves? The following tips may be helpful:

• Make time for exercise in your daily routine. Exercise will help to control your stress.
  
  
• When tempted by food, try waiting 15 to 30 minutes before feeding your craving. You may forget about the food or become distracted by something else to help avoid that extra indulgence.
  
  
• Start a food journal. Record what you are eating and why. Assess whether you are actually hungry when you eat. Keeping track of your habits may help you recognize the triggers that make you eat.
  
  
• If you know that you are tempted to overindulge in food in certain situations, try to avoid putting yourself in those situations.