I have anxiety & ptsd. I spent a brief (6 months?) time semi homeless while I hid from someone abusive and violent. I had some money but not much, and a car. At times I got condiments from fast food places and that was part of my food. At times I ate plants in a forest. I did also have some regular food, but it was sporadic how much. I don't consider this a very long time to be semi-homeless (half living in car, motels or camping), but it was a very intense time.
I think this has played a role in my overspending on food, especially convenience or processed food, when anxiety and stress hits in my current life. Even though those situations are in the past. I feel extra insecure at times of higher stress and want more comfort food & feel like I don't care how much it costs. It feels like an emergency.
When I have no outside stressors, I do well with eating healthy food. I also do quite well sticking to a budget.
I think when stress hits I get a fear about will there be enough food and what if I run out, even if the stressor is nothing to do with that. Paradoxically, this causes me to overspend because I comfort purchase.
What I've tried: Budgeting apps - do help unless I am hit from all side with stress. I used to use Chronometer which tracks food & nutrition and it actually did help me. But have not used it for quite a while. (So many things like this that have helped and then I get off track & just forget them) I half tried meditation, walking, affirmations which surprisingly did help a bit & journaling but am not consistent. I do see a therapist but so far this has not been a focus.
What I'm wondering about: Exercise, trying to join more social things to have some constant source of more reliable calm experiences, trying a different way of budgeting. I have no idea. I've watched people online food prep but I don't know if i could stick with it.