Binge eater-turned-life coach cautions on the dangers of doom eating

Dubai resident outline dangers and potential solutions to the coping mechanism used by generations that are always online and frequently overwhelmed

Doom eating entails snacking mindlessly whilst scrolling through bleak news or videos on social media. Getty Images

We’ve all devoured a pint of ice cream after a bad day, but a binge-eating trend is taking comfort food to a dangerous new level. Known as “doom eating”, the stress-fuelled habit centres on people reaching for calorie-packed snacks as they compulsively “doom-scroll” negative content on social media.

Whether it’s ordering a takeaway after a bad news cycle or snacking mindlessly during a late-night scroll, doom eating is becoming a reflexive coping mechanism for generations that are always online and frequently overwhelmed.

Emotional eating coach and former binge-eater Natassia D’Souza says it is no surprise that her fellow millennials “turn to food for comfort”. According to D’Souza, this is because they “face immense pressure – financial stress, social media comparison and the constant uncertainty of the future”.

She adds: “Food is one of the most accessible and socially acceptable coping mechanisms. The key issue is that many don’t realise that they’re using food to suppress feelings, which only perpetuates the cycle.”

D’Souza, who is from Dubai, struggled with comfort eating from a young age, overindulging to deal with stress, sadness and boredom. “I would turn to high-calorie, sugary snacks late at night and feel a temporary sense of relief, followed by guilt and frustration,” she says.

'I learnt to feel my emotions, not feed them,' says eating coach Natassia D’Souza. Photo: Natassia D’Souza

“It took years of trial and error, and knowledge in understanding food as a coping mechanism, but I regained control by focusing on understanding my emotional triggers, building healthier coping mechanisms, and shifting my mindset around food. I learnt to feel my emotions, not feed them, which transformed my relationship with food.”

Troubling stats

Dangerous eating habits are especially prevalent in the UAE, due to high-pressure lifestyles, rapid urbanisation and a culture of instant gratification, according to clinical nutritionist Dr Lina Shibib, of Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centres. “The UAE’s culture of dining out and the ubiquitous access to food delivery services have only exacerbated this issue,” she says.

“The ease of obtaining fast food or comfort meals at the push of a button makes it tempting to choose unhealthy options in times of emotional distress, rather than seeking more balanced or nutritious alternatives.”

Studies around the world have shown that young people are facing more obesity-related problems than ever before, with unsettling figures from the region. A 2022 study published in The European Journal of Public Health found that 23 per cent of 902 UAE students, with an average age of 21.9 years, reported chronic diseases linked to obesity.

“The findings from the study indicate that the prevalence of obesity and diabetes among young adults in the UAE is notably higher than the global average,” says Dr Shibib. “While the World Health Organisation reports that approximately 13 per cent of adults globally are obese, the study shows that 34.8 per cent of UAE students are overweight or obese, more than double the global figure when considering both overweight and obese individuals.”

Beating yourself up will only make the cycle worse

Natassia D’Souza,
emotional eating coach

Recent analysis from London Medical Laboratory revealed that 43 per cent of millennials have high cholesterol, compared to 39 per cent of over-eighties, with clinical lead Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan stressing the dangers of doom eating.

UAE experts, too, are raising the alarm. “Doom eating has become an increasingly concerning problem among millennials and Gen-Zs in the UAE, and its impact on physical and mental health cannot be overlooked,” says Dr Shibib. “I’m seeing more young patients with high cholesterol than ever before due to poor diets and erratic eating habits.”

While the instant gratification of chocolate or crisps may provide temporary relief, Dr Shibib warns that overindulgence can have lasting emotional and physical consequences. “When a person eats to cope with stress or negative emotions, the brain releases dopamine, the ‘feel-good’ hormone,” says Dr Shibib. “This temporary relief reinforces the behaviour, making it a go-to response for emotional distress.

“Over time, the individual craves more high-calorie, sugary or fatty foods to achieve the same dopamine hit, mimicking addiction pathways seen with substances such as alcohol or drugs.”

Awareness and self-compassion

Experts agree that social media has exacerbated the problem, with food indulgence often glamourised as a coping mechanism, creating unhealthy associations between food and emotional relief.

“Social media often promotes an unrealistic and distorted view of food, body image and lifestyle, where indulgence and excess are glorified as forms of self-care or coping,” says Dr Shibib.

Social media can reinforce the idea that eating poorly is acceptable in moments of stress, says expert. Photo: Erik Lucatero / Pixabay

“Influencers and celebrities frequently showcase binge-eating or consuming calorie-dense comfort foods as part of their daily routines, which can normalise these behaviours and make them seem appealing or even aspirational. This creates a false association between emotional well-being and unhealthy food choices, reinforcing the idea that eating poorly is acceptable or even desirable in moments of stress.”

In addition to consuming social media more conscientiously, D’Souza says that the first step to overcoming emotional eating is self-compassion “Beating yourself up will only make the cycle worse. Recognising the emotions behind your eating is the first step to breaking free,” says D’Souza who has trained as an emotional eating coach since overcoming her own food battle

“Try replacing eating with another comforting activity – whether it’s journalling, taking a walk, or even calling a friend.

“Remember, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about taking small, consistent steps. The most important thing to know is that you’re not alone, and it’s possible to create a healthier relationship with food.”