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Strategies for stress-eating and concern for diet?

Page last modified on: October 21, 2009
Question from McC: Help! I'm a stress eater. Now that I know a leaner diet is better for preventing a recurrence of my estrogen-positive cancer, how can I combat this vicious cycle: When I eat chocolate and other junk out of stress, now I get the added stress of worrying that my eating will make my cancer come back. The result is more stress and more eating. I need some strategies, please. Thank you.
Answer —Diana Dyer, M.S., R.D.: First of all, it sounds like you're already aware of your response to a stress situation. And by knowing that, you have an opportunity to develop your own response to your triggers. For myself, I always ask myself if eating X in this situation is really more important than my long-term health. It takes a half-second to do that, and yet it is a habit I've developed for myself every time I find myself reaching for something on autopilot. I back up, pull my hand away, and ask myself if eating that food is more important than my long-term health. That's my personal strategy.

On Tuesday, October 13, 2009, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Nutrition Through the Holidays. Diana Dyer, M.S., R.D. and Larissa Korde, M.D., M.P.H. answered your questions about what and how much to eat when holiday treats abound.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Diana Dyer, M.S., R.D.Diana Dyer, M.S., R.D. is a registered dietitian in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and a two-time breast cancer survivor.

Larissa Korde, M.D., M.P.H. is an assistant professor in the Division of Medical Oncology at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance of the University of Washington. She specializes in the care of breast cancer patients.

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