From the tried-and-true pizza to a cocktail called the ‘Kamalatini,’ Americans are turning to comfort foods and alcohol to ease their anxiety during this cycle’s high-stakes Election Day.
Voters have taken to the Reddit thread “What will you eat and drink for stress on election night?” to share what they turn to to get through the day, from their favorite homemade comfort foods to not-so-healthy coping mechanisms like tequila, cigarettes, and martinis.
And many appreciate leftover Halloween candy to enjoy.
Leonard Jason, a professor of psychology at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, told DailyMail.com that “the stress of the 2024 US election is enormous, and a variety of efforts will be used to cope with it, including stress eating, which provides some, if not temporary, relief.”
One Redditor revealed that they will be hosting a special dinner on Election Day, with some of the menu items including “Jerk chicken, biryani, and Haitian spaghetti.”
Another wrote: “Probably falafel with rice, white sauce, hot sauce and a six-pack of Mexican Cokes.”
Meanwhile, one New York-based voter said he was going to relieve his election stress by “going to a bar for a couple of drinks” and comforting snacks like chicken wings and artichoke dip.
Dozens said they were going for “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 on President Donald Trump’s claim to that immigrants ate people’s pets in Ohio.
Leading psychologists say that binge eating and drinking will take hold as the results of the US elections become known.
He notes that while many people opt for foods “rich in calories, sugar and fat,” he recommends swapping them for “products with better nutritional value, such as carrots or celery.”
However, no vegetables were mentioned on Reddit. thread comments.
Multiple comments mentioned Indian food and dishes of falafel, pizza, paella, cheeseburgers and fries.
Alcohol was a common theme, including tequila, whiskey, beer, ‘Kamalatinis’ and ‘wine, lots of wine, more wine’.
Candy was on the menu for many commenters: “I can raid CVS… to buy discounted (Halloween) stuff and build a stash.”
Sour Patch Kids was another fan-favorite choice.
There were others who said they were avoiding food and drink altogether and turning to drugs to survive Election Day.
One person said, ‘I’m getting SO high.’
While another added: “I want the strongest drug to knock me out around 7pm 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 stress of the 2024 US election is enormous.”
Explaining why stress eating occurs, 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 such as adrenaline and cortisol. While adrenaline prepares the body for immediate action, cortisol has a longer-term effect and can increase our appetite.
“The hypothalamus region of the brain, which regulates hunger, is particularly sensitive to cortisol, and when levels of this hormone increase, the body may crave high-calorie foods, often those full of fats and sugars.
“This biological response is part of our survival instinct, ensuring we have enough energy to cope with stress.”
While eating and drinking may seem like the best way to reduce stress levels on Election Day, Dr. Toles says there are “other ways to cope that are kinder on the mind and body.”
She explains: ‘There are several strategies to curb cravings and avoid overeating during such emotionally charged times.
‘These include practicing mindful eating, slowing down to really savor your food, and replacing unhealthy snacks with healthier alternatives wherever possible.
“Taking a brisk walk, doing some yoga, or even doing a few minutes of stretching can also help relieve stress and reduce the urge to reach for comfort foods.”