emotional eating

American  

[ih-moh-shuh-nl ee-ting] / ɪˈmoʊ ʃə nl ˈi tɪŋ /

noun

1. eating, often excessively, as a response to stress, boredom, unhappiness, or other emotional condition, rather than as a response to physical hunger.

   Prolonged loneliness can lead to a number of unhealthy habits, including emotional eating.

---

Etymology

Origin of emotional eating

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

emotional eating

However, by the 12 month mark, emotional eating and restrained eating had largely returned to their original levels.

From Science Daily ● May 7, 2026

"Individuals with prominent emotional eating tendencies may require additional behavioral or psychological support."

From Science Daily ● May 7, 2026

“This type of obsessive food-related thinking can override hunger cues and lead to patterns of overeating, undereating or emotional eating — especially for people who are overweight,” Tufts said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 30, 2025

Experiential avoidance can take many forms, but a common method is emotional eating, which is the tendency to eat in response to negative emotions.

From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2023

I think it’s fair to say that emotional eating is generally demonized.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 13, 2023