What Your Favourite Snack Says About Your Coping Style

What Your Favourite Snack Says About Your Coping Style

When life gets overwhelming, we all turn to something familiar for comfort, and often, that “something” is food. It might be a samosa from a roadside vendor, a plate of viazi karai from the joint near your home, or that ugali mix combo that never disappoints. But what if your go-to snack actually reveals something about how you deal with stress?

Psychologically, this is called emotional regulation; the ways in which we respond to difficult emotions like anxiety, frustration, or sadness. Some people cope by seeking connection, others by seeking control or distraction. And yes, for many, food plays a role.

Let’s take a look at what your favorite snack might say about your coping style:

1. Smocha or Mutura

If you swear by a quick mutura or smocha, chances are you’re someone who likes efficient, low-effort solutions. You don’t dwell in discomfort for too long; instead, you look for immediate relief.

You likely try to keep busy or “keep moving” when stressed. While this can be effective short-term, it may sometimes mean avoiding deeper emotions. Therapy can help you learn to pause, reflect, and respond more mindfully.

2. Mandazi or Chapati

If your go-to snack is something like mandazi, chapati, or even mahamri, you’re likely comforted by familiarity and tradition. These foods often remind us of home, childhood, or simpler times.

You may seek comfort in routines or in emotionally significant experiences. This can be grounding, but be mindful not to stay stuck in the past or romanticize it at the cost of present growth.

3. Viazi Karai or Bhajia

If your stress snack is deep-fried, spicy, and a little chaotic, you might be someone who craves stimulation when overwhelmed.

You use taste, texture, and even heat (yes, even pilipili counts) to anchor yourself. This is a form of grounding, and it's a valid coping strategy; just make sure you're not using it to avoid facing persistent emotional stress.

4. Ugali Sukuma

If you’re the type who still reaches for a full plate of ugali sukuma or ugali nyama when under pressure, you likely prefer structure and predictability.

You may cope by sticking to routines, relying on “what works,” and finding control in familiar tasks. This can be very healthy, but flexibility is also important; especially when life throws unexpected challenges your way.

5. Ice Cream or Chocolate

If you turn to sweet things like ice cream, chocolate, or soda, you're likely someone who seeks emotional soothing through sensory pleasure.

You might treat yourself as a way of compensating for stress or sadness, which can be effective short-term, but may lead to emotional eating patterns if left unchecked.

While snacks are just one part of how we respond to stress, they can offer subtle clues about our emotional world. Whether you’re crunching on matoke crisps or stirring tea with five spoonfuls of sugar, your food habits might be reflecting deeper emotional patterns.

Understanding your coping style, whether through food or otherwise, is a first step toward greater emotional awareness. And if you’re curious about exploring those patterns more deeply, therapy is a great place to start.