Stress-food of choice
PAST:
Pint of Baskin-Robbins Jamoca Almond Fudge or Pralines and Cream
An entire sleeve of Thin Mints (when in season)
An entire row of Samoas (when in season)
Peanut M & Ms
Homemade chocolate chip cookies with milk (don’t forget the luscious dough phase)
Barbeque potato chips
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
PRESENT:
Brownies someone sent me as a gift. Damn it.
Tortilla chips and salsa
Frozen yogurt (fat free) with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on top (so not fat free, and I appreciate that)
Ethiopian food
Really, really good chocolate until I realize I’m close to being addicted again, then out it goes
I read an interview with Janet Evanovich once where she revealed that she powers through those last few weeks of getting her manuscripts finished by living on Cheetos. High five, Janet.
Don’t know why this is on my mind right now (HA!), but I’m just curious: what’s your go-to food for stress?
Technorati Tags: If An Entire Sleeve of Thin Mints Wasn’t One Serving, Why Would They Package It That Way?”
July 19th, 2007 at 5:21 am
DQ - banana split.
July 19th, 2007 at 7:16 am
Popcorn. Or anything with SALT. But then, that’s also my “happy food” too.
Also, I think I’ve mentioned this before, but: dark chocolate frozen yogurt with spicy tortilla strips sprinkled on top.
And last week, when I was finishing my manuscript draft, I reverted to fried bologna sandwiches.
July 19th, 2007 at 7:19 am
I mean - I’m just assuming that people who have stress would like one of those. I don’t have stress, but I still like them.
July 19th, 2007 at 7:22 am
It used to be french fries. I try to avoid them now, but do partake on occasion.
My current comfort food is Jello’s sugar-free Dulce de leche (sp?) pudding. It’s only 60 calories. And I’m also becoming addicted to Starbucks raspberry mocha light frap. Yum.
I love salsa, but have to eat sparingly so it doesn’t hurt my tummy.
Too many things hurt my belly nowadays.
(And oddly enough, I drink fat-free organic milk to calm my stomach.)
July 19th, 2007 at 7:50 am
The term “stress foods” kind of makes me wiggy, because I really, really don’t want to eat when I’m stressed. The food is hard to taste, and there’s a certain frenzy about it. However, my soul foods, the foods that make me feel all is right with the world, are:
1) spanikopita
2) stuffed grape leaves
3) the bottomless cup of chai at Taste of India & Cedars restaurants
4) good sushi
5) rice pudding
July 19th, 2007 at 7:59 am
My favorite stress snack is Doritos;no other cheesy tortilla chip will do. Chocolate is also good in a pinch. Oh,and thanks for the linkage the other day(always appreciated)and good luck with your deadline:)
July 19th, 2007 at 9:05 am
Peanut M&Ms, all the way.
It’s also very fun to smuggle a package of Sno-caps into a movie theatre, buy a tub of popcorn, and then dump the Sno-caps into the popcorn while it’s still hot. I also like to ask the person getting the popcorn to fill the tub halfway, add butter, then fill it the rest of the way and add more butter. The combination of salt, butter, and melted chocolate is very satisfying, particularly when one is watching something completely frivolous.
July 19th, 2007 at 9:13 am
Nuts, especially cashews…but like Patrick, I am not stressed. When I am stressed, I don’t eat.
July 19th, 2007 at 9:39 am
1. pasta
2. sweetened green tea
3. chocolate in many forms, but chocolate covered caramels rocks
not necessarily in that order, repeat often and as necessary
July 19th, 2007 at 10:51 am
Adrienne and Sara, your decadent food combos take my breath away. Frozen chocolate yogurt and tortilla chips? Buttered popcorn and chocolate? I want to come stay at your houses for a weekend apiece and see what else you could teach me about this exotic way of living. I feel so . . . pedestrian.
Alkelda, Judy, and Patrick, I always heard there were people like you who don’t eat when stressed, but it’s just so foreign to me I couldn’t quite believe it. Like trying to believe in the Loch Ness Monster. (Although Patick, your claim is you don’t get stressed , right? Being the Space Lord and all. But if you did you would fly to DQ, correct?)
All you chocolately, salty people, oh yeah. Lady T’s Doritos, Heather’s pudding, Judy’s cashews, David’s chocolate-covered caramel–yes, please. And I’ll take what’s on Alkelda’s list, too, but I agree it all sounds like happy food.
It’s weird, but this whole discussion makes me feel better. Not just better because I’m not the only one, but better because I’m getting the vicarious thrill of indulging in all that.
Now off to edit sixty more pages.
July 19th, 2007 at 10:58 am
My comfort food is a peanut butter and honey sandwich and milk. If a couple of cookies end up as the side dish, who am I to complain.
M&M’s are another favorite for Magnificent or Miserable times.
July 19th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Mother Reader, that sounds like exactly what I should have for lunch. Thank you!
July 19th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Pizza is my boiling-point food of choice, as I shouldn’t be eating it at all, so I reserve it for those rare occasions where my head is about to explode.
Otherwise, sauteed okra is a definite comfort, as are BLTs, breakfast foods (bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, sausage - preferably all smashed together covered in ketchup), pie, and hot dogs.
Aw man, now I’m hungry!!!
July 19th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Robin, the spicy tortilla strips are supposed to be for salads, like croutons or bacon bits. You buy them in little bags near the veggies and leafy things. I vote they be moved to the ice cream aisle! (Although I have to say, I made a killer Southwestern style salad with them– once.)
July 19th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Mm, Lizzie, pizza. Yes, definitely. Sauteed okra, though–really?
Oh, I get it, Sara. Feed someone your special dessert, and she just keeps showing up at your house for more. Teach her to make her own . . .
July 19th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Hellz yea, Okra! It’s delicious, filling, chock full of vitamins and minerals, keeps you regular, and did I mention how INCREDIBLY TASTY it is!? mmmmmmmm, okra…
July 19th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Then let’s be clear, Robin. It’s important that you use STRIPS, not CHIPS as you so erroneously suggested. And they have to be the Santa Fe spicy ones. And it has to be Stonybrook Farms After Dark chocolate frozen yogurt. But hey, go ahead, pile a few Fritos on your DQ frozen dairy product. THEN you’ll miss me and my cooking lessons…
Oh, and Adrienne, I am SO trying your idea the next time I go to the movies. I usually just smuggle in a sandwich baggie of Good and Plenty.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Well, when I’m stressed I usually get my hair cut. Not the best choice, a few months ago I had a very stressful month and got my hair cut a total of 5 times. I’m now growing it out (again)
As for food, probably ice cream, hot tea and pepperoni pizza. Those things bring me comfort, and they’re tasty;-)
July 19th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Kimmy, are you serious? About the haircuts? I’ve never heard of that as a stress-management theory. You must have had a lot of hair to be able to go five times. Yow.
Sara, I will try it, I will follow the recipe exactly, and if it’s yet another thing I get hooked on, you’re paying, missy.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
I’m not a stress eater either, but I am a tired eater. A bag of WAVY potato chips and a bag of MINI Reese’s peanut butter cups has gotten an exhausted me through many a day and night.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
P.S. I also know someone who cuts her hair under stress-some times she has had REALLY short hair. Her husband tries to hide the scissors when he senses stress coming her way.
July 19th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Corn
Twelve-grain bread
July 19th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
that is so easy–2 shredded beef tacos, a side of rice, a side of beans, an order (not a side) of guacamole–except for the guac, it’s commonly referred to as a #5 (and we’re not talkin’ taco bell)–i mean there is really no excuse for heroin addiction with eats like this around. (lil’ will, come over to the yummy side).
July 19th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
I’m amazed by some of the healthy eaters here. For me it’s cookies (petite ecoliers are the best) or plain potato chips or mint chocolate chip ice cream.
July 19th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
I don’t know, Laurel–I’m seeing plenty of chocolate on people’s lists. Your mint chocolate chip ice cream sounds awfully good.
Annette, why do I get the feeling you might be loitering a little too often around some dive Mexican eatery? But the #5 does some pretty premium. I bet it’s only $4.99, too.
Little Willow, anything on the twelve-grain bread? Or just “give me carbs and give ‘em now”?
Deborah, thanks for the additional story re: stress hair-cutting. I just had no idea that was going on out there. And yes to the mini-Reeses–they’re small and you can eat lots. I’m also pretty partial to other peanut butter treats, like Butterfingers and Baskin Robbins Peanut Butter and Chocolate ice cream. Haven’t had it in forever, but I still think of it so fondly.
July 19th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
I’m so relieved to know I’m not such a freak after all! Thanks for that Deborah.
It took me a while to realize the connection between my stress level and my hair cutting. I thought I just had a crazy hair cutting fetish. Turns out, getting my hair cut really calms me.
Well…my hair got pretty short after those 5 cuts, way too short. Bummer cause before that I was really growing it out. Still, it hasn’t been past my shoulders in years. As of right now, it’s just barely mid-ear. I’m hoping life remains calm for the next few months or so, cause I’d really like to have my hair back!
July 19th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Robin, if you’re looking for good chocolate that you can eat just a little at a time and feel completely satisfied, there’s a lovely chocolate bar they sell at Target called Choxie Fiery Hot Chocolate. It has pepper in it (chili pepper, I think) and it’s fabulous!
My stress foods are many, and often involve chocolate, but may also include anything you’d consider comfort food (high carb, high fat).
I’ve lost 72 pounds over the last year, and just yesterday hit my pre-vacation goal weight. So as of tomorrow morning, I’m on vacation from my diet for 10 days. I’m hoping I gain fewer than 10 pounds but beyond that I refuse to pressure myself.
July 30 I go back to the diet, to lose another 10-15 pounds plus whatever I’ve gained over vacation. So I plan to really enjoy the next 10 days. A lot.
July 19th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Oh, and the thing I miss most, even though I just discovered them about 18 months ago… grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Total and absolute stress relief.
Plus it’s got fruit, so it’s really healthy. Really.
July 19th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Nancy, have a wonderful time on your vacation! I applaud your weight loss–that’s phenomenal! I also clap for your plan to relax and enjoy the next 10 days.
Good luck on your mad dash to the bookstore to score HP7 before you board the ship. Happy reading!
July 19th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Oh, and because I probably won’t be able to post for the Friday list, please accept my “giving up my diet for the next 10 days” as the big NICE thing I’m doing for myself.
July 19th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
I like lots of types of bread. I thought I should say one of my favorites rather than just “bread” in general!
I’m not your average American eater. I don’t buy nor eat junk food, and I don’t go to fast food places. Some people (no, really) have been ‘offended’ when I don’t eat what they eat at restaurants or at lunch at work. I remind them calmly that each person may eat what he or she wants to eat, and some leave it at that, but you’d be surprised how many people just don’t get it! “Whattya MEAN you don’t go to McDonald’s?”
I am a crazy vegetarian who would rather eat a can of corn than a side of beef.
July 19th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Nancy, you do know that grilled pb and banana sandwiches were Elvis’s favorite food? (Or “are” his favorite food if you believe The King is alive.)
July 20th, 2007 at 5:57 am
I used to do the Dorito thing; could not have a bag in the house without eating the whole thing. Eventually I figured out they were causing my headaches…so had to give them up cold-turkey. Now I can have a few, but still try to stay clear of them, since they are so addictive.
July 20th, 2007 at 8:16 am
Sorry you can’t do Doritos anymore, Judy. That’s just a cryin’ shame.
Alkelda, nice trivia!
Little Willow, why is that? Do you think people think you’re going to judge them for eating “badly,” so they have the make the first move by acting like you’re weird?
July 20th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
I don’t know. I don’t require a lot of food, and I love healthy food. I would pick a salad over something fried and greasy anyday. Those who know me know that, but plenty of people ask me, “Is that all you’re going to eat?” or “Why aren’t you eating (blank)?” if I’m in a group setting.
July 21st, 2007 at 11:45 am
Chocolate of any (good quality) sort.
Cheetos (so yeah, Janet Evanovich and I could be buddies, but Briggsy the Cheeto addicted Cheeto Colored Cat would insist on horning in. He can smell a cheeto from two rooms away . . . )