It's easy to turn to food after a stressful day, but experts warn comfort and stress eating can quickly become habit.
What do you reach for after a stressful day? Beer, chips? We all do it. In fact, human nature says we rarely eat based on hunger.
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"We eat because we're in a social atmosphere, there's music playing," registered dietitian nutritionist Bonni London said
She said even positive feelings lead to emotional eating.
"Birthday party, vacation, to you know, a house remodel, stressful work. So anything can cause people to go off kilter," London said.
Whether you're happy or stressed, comforting your body with unhealthy food will only make you eat more and make your stress worse.
"It's only going to exasperate the situation by increasing inflammation and we know that these foods also change the microbes in our gut, which we are understanding more and more also affect our mental status," London said.
Getting ahead of the game starts in the morning, she said.
"A great balanced breakfast with high quality protein. I love like, a vegetable omelet for example," London said. "Also something really important is hydration. Being even slightly hydrated can increase these stress hormones."
She advises to keep healthy food on hand and have a plan .
"When they get home and they don't have anything prepared and things aren't around, that's when bad things happen," London said
She said to try to get a good night's sleep, take the stress out at the gym. And reach for green food and fish for a mood booster and "not the mac and cheese."