Stress and junk food

There actually is a physiological reason we run to junk when we’re stressed.  It isn’t just an upbringing thing.  Carbohydrates tend to have a sedating effect.  It can be like taking drugs.  The downside of self-medicating with junk food is that it can set you up for blood sugar swings, which can lead to mood swings.  So what initially made you feel better will make you feel worse.  Of course, the natural reaction in such a case is to reach for more junk, which just feeds into the vicious cycle, and that vicious cycle just adds to the stress.  A healthy diet will help to keep you more on an even keel and more able to deal with stress.