Clinical Nutritionist Practice Test 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

Stress can significantly alter eating habits, often leading individuals to engage in overeating and making unhealthy food choices. When under stress, many people seek comfort through food, gravitating toward snacks that are high in sugar, fat, and calories. This coping mechanism provides temporary relief from stress but can ultimately lead to negative health outcomes, such as weight gain and nutritional deficiencies.

The phenomenon is linked to emotional eating, where individuals consume food in response to their feelings rather than hunger. Stress triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone that not only increases appetite but also enhances cravings for unhealthy, palatable foods. Therefore, many people may find themselves consuming larger quantities of food as a way to cope with their stressors, favoring convenience and comfort over nutritional value.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the common impact of stress on eating behaviors. For instance, eating less frequently and making healthier choices may sometimes occur but is less typical during periods of high stress, as mentioned. Strict dieting and calorie reduction are also less common responses to stress, as individuals often seek out higher-calorie comfort foods rather than restrictive eating patterns. Lastly, balanced eating and mindfulness are practices that can help mitigate stress but are not usually the immediate responses people have when experiencing stress,