When talking about money lots of women voluntarily mention their relationship with food. Through our survey, women have talked about ‘binge spending’ or having ‘shopping bulimia’. Of course, food and money are both part of the brain’s reward system so perhaps it’s hardly surprising that they’re related. There's also research that shows that women who diet are more likely to make impulse purchases. The scientists say it’s because restricting your food intake uses up all your restraining power, so you’re less able to resist temptation in the shops.