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

The first was emotional eating, in which people eat to cope with negative feelings instead of physical hunger.

From Science Daily • May 7, 2026

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

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

For some people, emotional eating was simply a habit formed earlier in life that has persisted over time.

From Salon • Sep. 24, 2024

If you find yourself grazing your pantry or the office vending machine when you’re stressed, sad or anxious, then you’ve entered emotional eating territory.

From Seattle Times • May 6, 2024