Is it normal to eat less when stressed?

Stress affects people differently. When you’re tense or overwhelmed, your body’s stress response can make food less appealing or leave you feeling too keyed up to eat. Plenty of people notice this, while others reach for more snacks instead.

If it’s brief and you’re still managing to eat and drink enough, it’s usually nothing unusual. If your appetite stays low, you’re losing weight without meaning to, or eating is becoming difficult, check in with a healthcare professional.