Eating Habits Changed with the Pandemic

Dietary Habits Changed with the Pandemic Specialist Psychologist Ezgi Dokuzlu from Anadolu Health Center provided remarks. Dokuzlu noted that pandemic stress altered dietary habits and increased interest in sweets. Anadolu Health Center commented on the effects of the Covid-19 outbreak and quarantine process on individuals. Specialist Psychologist Ezgi Dokuzlu, who made the statement, said that pandemic stress caused dietary changes in people and increased interest in sweet foods and carbohydrates.

Anadolu Health Center Addressed the Effects of Stress on Individuals

Specialist Psychologist Ezgi Dokuzlu, working at Anadolu Health Center, made remarks on the effects of stress and anxiety on individuals. Dokuzlu, emphasizing that intense stress and the conditions and mental state individuals find themselves in alter eating behavior, stated: "A person attempts to fill an emotional void, anxiety, or stress through food, and subsequently may become more stressed due to regret, and again may turn to pleasurable activities such as eating to manage this stress." Dokuzlu noted that during the pandemic, many people gaining weight despite not needing to shop was not coincidental, and said "Hormones released in the brain related to reward, happiness and pleasure, such as dopamine and serotonin, determine our food preferences. Since carbohydrate-rich foods cause an increase in serotonin, known as the happiness hormone, it makes us feel better when we feel stressed or anxious. Therefore, to reduce the negative emotions we are experiencing and increase our sense of well-being, we turn to easily accessible, delicious foods or shopping."

Intense Stress Situations Alter Dietary Habits

Dokuzlu emphasized that certain emotional states such as anxiety, anger, and depression can cause appetite to decrease or increase, stating "According to research conducted, individuals in sad and anxious emotional states are seen to prefer more caloric and larger quantities of food compared to those in a happy state. During major stressful events like a pandemic, turning to things we can enjoy and feel good about is normal. Especially since pleasant activities were limited during quarantine, the thing every individual easily turned to was eating nice, sweet things and trying delicious-looking, different foods."

"We Are in a Constant Search to Feel Good"

Dokuzlu conveyed that a person under intense stress turns to easily accessible packaged foods, carbohydrate-rich foods, sugary foods and drinks to feel good and achieve rapid relief. Dokuzlu said, "Especially when we consider that these foods are addictive, we are in a constant search to feel good. Additionally, during this period, how long packaged foods purchased could be consumed and how much they could keep us occupied became important. For example, a large package of snacks is preferred more than a small piece of chocolate because it can be eaten over a longer period and visually provides more satiety. We know that foods like chocolate and sugary items are addictive. This creates a cycle of constant searching to feel good."