From tried-and-true pizza to a cocktail called the “Kamalatini,” Americans are turning to comfort food and alcohol to quell their anxiety during this cycle’s high-stakes Election Day.
Voters read the Reddit thread “What will you eat and drink on election night?” to share what they turn to to get through the day – ranging from homemade comfort food favorites to not-so-healthy coping mechanisms, like tequila, cigarettes and martinis.
And many are grateful for leftover Halloween candy to enjoy.
Leonard Jason, a professor of psychology at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, told DailyMail.com that the pressure of the 2024 US election is immense and a variety of coping efforts will be employed, including stress eating, which will take some provides relief if not temporary.’
A Redditor revealed that they will be hosting a special election dinner, with some menu items like “marinated chicken, biryani, and Haitian spaghetti.”
Another wrote: ‘Probably falafel with rice, white sauce, hot sauce and a six pack of Mexican coke.’
Meanwhile, one New York-based voter said they were going to relieve their election stress by “going to a bar for a few drinks” and comforting snacks like chicken wings and artichoke dip.
Dozens said they were going for “the old reliable stuff”: pizza and ice cream, and one person even said their election night party would “probably be my neighbor’s cats and dogs,” a jab at President Donald Trump’s claim that immigrants are the ate people’s pets Ohio.
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He notes that while many people reach for foods that are “high in calories, sugar and fat,” he recommends swapping these for “foods with better nutritional value, such as carrots or celery.”
However, there was no mention of vegetables in the Reddit wire comments.
Several responses mentioned Indian dishes and falafel dishes, pizza, paella, cheeseburgers and fries.
Alcohol was a common theme, including tequila, whiskey, beer, “Kamalatinis,” and “wine, lots of wine, more wine.”
There were sweets on the menu for many commenters: “I can raid CVS… for the discounted (Halloween) stuff and build up a stash.”
Sour Patch Kids was another fan favorite.
There were others who said they gave up food and drink altogether and turned to drugs to survive Election Day.
One person said: ‘I get SO high.’
While another added: ‘I want the strongest drugs to knock me out around 7pm and wake me up the next morning.’
Leonard A. Jason, professor of psychology at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, told DailyMail.com that ‘the tension of the 2024 US election is enormous’
Explaining why stress eating occurs, clinical psychologist Dr Rachel Toles told this website: ‘Election Day has become – especially this year – 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. Then why is this happening?’
Dr. Tole explained that when someone 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 long-term effect and can increase our appetite.
‘The hypothalamus area 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 packed with fats and sugars.
‘This biological response is part of our survival instinct and ensures that we have enough energy to deal with stress.’
While eating and drinking may seem like the best way to reduce stress on Election Day, Dr. Toles says there are “other ways to cope that are kinder to the mind and body.”
She explains, “There are several strategies to curb cravings and avoid overeating during such emotionally charged times.
‘This includes practicing mindful eating, slowing down to really enjoy your food and replacing unhealthy snacks with healthier alternatives where possible.
“Going for a brisk walk, doing some yoga, or even stretching for a few minutes can also help relieve stress and reduce the urge to reach for comfort foods.”