People eat for many reasons. For some, eating is a time of social interaction or fun. Others eat strictly because the body is sending signals telling them they are hungry.
Unfortunately, there are still others for which eating is an emotional crutch. They eat because stress and strong emotions have invaded their mind and food becomes a way to block the unpleasantness of the feelings.
When we eat emotionally in order to bury feelings, we end up eating too much or eating the wrong foods. Our overall health suffers because of this kind of eating. Emotional eating often results in feelings of guilt, shame and has a negative impact on self-image and self-esteem. A vicious cycle occurs when we create the habit of using food as a coping skill.
How can you know if you are eating for emotional reasons?
To assess if you eat to bury your emotions, you must ask yourself a few questions. And be sure that you are as honest as you can be. For every yes answer you give to yourself, it is more likely that you are an emotional eater.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do I eat when I have a full stomach?
- Do I eat when I am under more stress?
- Has food become a part of my reward system?
- Do I eat in order to calm myself during episodes of anger, sadness, loneliness, anxiety, or boredom?
- Do I feel powerless when it comes to eating?
- Do I eat to the point of being overstuffed?
- Do I often feel guilty after I eat?
- Do I often feel regret after eating?
If you answer yes to more of the above questions than you answer no, you may be using food as a way to control negative emotional states. And the good news is that once you are aware that you are eating emotionally, you have taken the first step in curbing that habit. You can use these same questions to help you make positive choices. So, the next time you feel the need to eat and it’s outside of what you have planned – ask yourself one or more of these questions.
- AM I eating because my stomach is empty?
- AM I eating because I’m under stress?
- AM I rewarding myself by eating this?
- AM I eating to calm myself?
- AM I eating because I feel powerless?
- AM I eating even though I’m already stuffed?
- Am I going to feel guilty if I eat this?
- WILL I regret eating this?
Now you are controlling your choices and making real progress in order to move forward in your goal of a healthier you!