From tried-and-true pizza to a cocktail named the ‘Kamalatini,’ Americans are reaching for comfort foods and alcohol to stave off their anxiety during this cycle’s high-stakes election day.
Voters have taken to the Reddit thread ‘What will you be stress eating and drinking on election night?’ to share what they are turning to in order to get through the day – ranging from homemade favorite comfort meals to not-so-healthy coping mechanisms, like tequila, cigarettes and martinis.
And many are grateful for leftover Halloween candy to indulge in.
Leonard Jason, a professor of psychology at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, told DailyMail.com ‘the strain of the 2024 US election is enormous, and a variety of coping efforts will be used, including stress eating, which provides some relief, if not temporary.’
One Redditor revealed they are going to host a special election day dinner party, with some of the menu items including ‘jerk chicken, biryani and Haitian spaghetti.’
Another wrote: ‘Probably falafel over rice, white sauce, hot sauce and a six pack of Mexican Cokes.’
Meanwhile, one New York-based voter said they were going to relieve their election stress by ‘hitting up a dive bar for a couple of drinks’ and comforting appetizers such as chicken wings and artichoke dip.
Dozens said they were going with ‘the old reliables’ of pizza and ice cream and one person even said their election night feast would ‘probably be my neighbor’s cats and dogs,’ a joke about President Donald Trump’s claim that immigrants were eating people’s pets in Ohio.
Leading psychologists say that binge eating and drinking will take hold as the US election results start to trickle in
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He notes while many people will reach for foods that are ‘high in calories, sugar, and fat,’ he recommends swapping these out for ‘products with better nutritional value, such as carrots or celery.’
However, there was no mention of vegetables in the Reddit thread comments.
Multiple comments mentioned Indian food and falafel dishes, pizza, paella, cheeseburgers and French fries.
Alcohol was a common theme, including tequila, whisky, beer, ‘Kamalatinis,’ and ‘wine, lots of wine, more wine.’
Sweets were on the menu for plenty of commenters: ‘I may raid CVS… for the discounted [Halloween] stuff and build a stash.’
Sour Patch Kids was another fan favorite choice.
There were others who said they were skipping food and drinks altogether, and turning to drugs to make it through election day.
One person said: ‘I am SO getting high.’
While another added: ‘I want the strongest of drugs to knock me out right around 7 pm and wake me up the next morning.’
Leonard A. Jason, a professor of psychology at DePaul University in Chicago , Illinois, told DailyMail.com that ‘the strain of the 2024 US election is enormous’
Explaining why stress eating happens, clinical psychologist Dr Rachel Toles told this website: ‘Election day – especially this year – has become a powerful trigger for stress eating.
‘For many people, stress eating – or emotional eating – means reaching for food in response to negative emotions or psychological stress rather than actual physical hunger. So why does this happen?’
Dr Tole explained that when a person becomes stressed, the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response is activated.
She continued: ‘This releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. While adrenaline prepares the body for immediate action, cortisol has a longer-term effect, and it can increase our appetite.
‘The hypothalamus region of the brain, which regulates hunger, is particularly sensitive to cortisol, and when levels of this hormone rise, the body may crave high-calorie foods, often those packed with fats and sugars.
‘This biological response is part of our survival instinct, ensuring we have enough energy to handle stress.’
While eating and drinking might seem like the best way to reduce election day stress levels, Dr Toles says there are ‘other ways of coping that are kinder on the mind and body.’
She explains: ‘There are several strategies to curb cravings and prevent overeating during such emotionally charged times.
‘These include practicing mindful eating, slowing down to really savor your food, and substituting unhealthy snacks with healthier alternatives whenever possible.
‘Taking a brisk walk, doing some yoga, or even engaging in a few minutes of stretching can also help alleviate stress and reduce the urge to reach for comfort foods.’
