Are the Snack Foods You’re Eating Making You Depressed?

When you’re feeling depressed or even if you’re just a little unhappy, do you reach for something to eat to lift your mood? You’re not alone; this type of emotional eating is all too common. It’s estimated that 75 percent of overeating is triggered by emotions.

If you’re looking for food for comfort, which foods do you choose? I’m guessing it’s not celery or Brussels sprouts. For most emotional eating, veggies won’t do the trick. Instead, you’ll choose sweet treats like ice cream, cookies, and candy or salty snacks like chips or Cheetos. A new study suggests that, paradoxically, the foods we eat to feel better may have the opposite effect. Researchers at Harvard and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston were interested in the effects on mood of........

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