Does Anger Lead To Weight Gain?
Anger is an emotion we all feel at times. However, some people feel a sense of anger and hostility more often than not. Additionally, some people are triggered into anger much quicker than others. Do “angry people” have a more difficult time with weight control? Is there any truth to the term “hangry”?
A French study over a several year period confirmed that people that self-rated themselves as highly angry showed a higher propensity to over eating and weight gain. The conclusion of the study was that anger, being a highly charged emotion, triggers “stress eating” or “emotional eating”.
Eating high sugar/high carb foods is an immediate gratification. Often when the body/mind is under stress, almost instinctually, we reach for some positive stimuli to offset the negative. Great tasting food becomes the immediate thing on hand to accomplish this positive stimulus.
One of the ways of combating this “anger leading to eating” behavior is to try to lessen the anger. Avoid things that may anger you, such as news that show negative stories. Watch a good movie or show instead. For those commuters out there angry at the D.C. area traffic, rather than listening to intense music, such as rock or rap, put on an audio book. Post-work, consider a drop in at the yoga place to place an end of the day “namaste” on yourself. And, here is a major one: try to conduct your vehicle registration business online as opposed to going to the DMV office.
Assess your “anger meter” and if you find you run angry lots of the time, take the steps needed to lessen that anger. Your weight control efforts most likely be more successful.
Here are a few tricks to calm your hunger:
Have a substantial breakfast.
Eat mindfully.
Eat on a schedule. If you’re running errands and are away from the kitchen at one of your typical mealtimes, carry a small bag of veggies or other protein base snacks with you — eat a little something to keep your stomach satisfied until you have a real meal.
Emphasize high-volume, low-calorie foods. Salads and soups, all green veggies and foods with high water content count as high-volume, low-calorie foods.
Eat protein. Protein-rich foods can also help create a long-lasting feeling of fullness.
Drink water before every meal.
Eat more high-fiber foods.
Exercise meals.
Eat ginger.
