Using food to reduce stress: Effects of choosing meal components and preparing a meal

• We tested the effects of food choice and meal preparation on stress and mood.
• Stress manipulated by Trier Social Stress Task, not an individual trait measure.
• No choice condition exhibited greater reduction in negative mood and blood pressure.
• Meal preparation had little effect on stress or mood.

Many people experience stress as a part of their daily lives. Chronic stress can have an impact on physical and mental health. Since food and eating are generally associated with positive moods, we explored how aspects of meal preparation can relieve stress and improve measures related to mood.Our main objectives were to determine whether choosing meal components and/or preparing a meal would improve measures related to mood and reduce stress.Participants came individually to our lab at dinner time. We measured stress (salivary cortisol, heart rate and blood pressure) and took measures related to mood on arrival. We then induced stress (Trier Social Stress Task) and took measures related to stress and mood again. Each participant was assigned to one of four experimental conditions. In the prepare-choice condition participants prepared a meal (pasta + sauce + inclusions) and had control over selection of meal components. In the prepare-no-choice condition participants prepared their meal, but had no control over the menu. In the choice-no-prepare condition participants had control over the menu, but the meal was prepared by someone else. In the no-prepare-no-choice condition participants were provided with a meal prepared by someone else. Food preference questionnaires conducted before the stress induction ensured that all participants received foods they liked.Having no choice produced greater reductions in the mood-related measures of anxiety and anger compared with the choice condition. Systolic blood pressure was reduced more in the no choice than in the choice condition after the meal. Preparing versus not preparing had little effect on measures related to stress and mood.People may find choosing to be a depleting task on their limited psychological resources; hence, choosing can add to their general stress. Not faced with choosing, one avoids this unnecessary stress. Consuming a meal without the burden of choosing has potential as a stress-reduction strategy.