6 Simple Steps To STOP Emotional Eating

woman and junk food

Ordering pizza just because you’re bored or eating a pint of ice cream can negatively impact your physical and emotional health.

Not to mention, those with a tendency to emotional eating are especially vulnerable to making poor choices. People may use emotional eating to fill emotional needs rather than their stomachs. Unfortunately, emotional eating does not solve your emotional problems.

It leaves you with uncomfortable feelings. Not only will your original issue remain the same, but you may also feel guilty for overeating. Moreover, suppose your first impulse when upset, bored, lonely, exhausted, or angry is to open the refrigerator. In that case, you may get stuck in an unhealthy cycle of putting off your feelings and real problems aside to binge eat.

Even if you feel powerless over your emotional needs and food, the fact is that you’re capable of making positive changes. You can opt for healthier ways to cope with stress, emotional turmoil, cravings, and triggers to finally stopping emotional eating. Here are the best ways you can gain control over emotional eating:

1. Start a Food Diary

Consider keeping a food diary where you write down what, when, and how much you eat, and how you feel when you eat.

Over time, you’ll notice a pattern that reveals the connection between food and your moods.

2. Learn to Tame Your Stress

If you believe your stress contributes to your emotional eating, see stress management techniques. You can try yoga, deep breathing exercises, or meditation to manage stress.

3. Do a Hunger Reality Check

Before you go to your kitchen, ask yourself whether your hunger is emotional or physical. If you ate a couple of hours ago and your stomach isn’t rumbling, likely, you’re not hungry.

Give yourself time to fight the craving.

4. Get Support

The fact is that many binge-eat in stress due to a lack of support system. It is much better to talk to a friend or join support groups to combat stress in a much healthier way.

5. Combat Boredom

Instead of snacking when you’re bored, try distracting yourself with a healthier alternative. Go for a walk, play with your pet, listen to music, surf the internet, watch a good movie, or call your friend.

6. Don’t Deprive Yourself

When losing weight, many people cut down calories to an unhealthy extent, eat the same foods each day, and banish treats.

Unfortunately, this can only make your food cravings stronger, especially in response to your emotions. Try eating satisfying amounts of healthier, delicious foods, try plenty of various foods to curb cravings, and enjoy an occasional treat.

To Sum it Up

Trying to gain control over emotional eating via mindfulness is hard work; however, it’s an incredible opportunity to get in touch with you. If your eating patterns continue, consider connecting with a doctor.

Sources

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/diets/emotional-eating.htm

https://www.verywellmind.com/stress-and-emotional-eating-how-to-stop-3144528

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss/art-20047342





Also in Health & Wellness

18 Weird Ways to Use Citrus Peels Before Tossing Them
18 Weird Ways to Use Citrus Peels Before Tossing Them

Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, limes, and grapefruits are staples in kitchens worldwide, known for their juicy interiors and vibrant flavors. However, their peels are often discarded, despite being packed with aromatic oils, vitamins, and bioactive compounds. Before you toss these peels into the trash, consider the myriad of creative ways you can repurpose them.

Continue Reading

Decoding Nutrition Labels: The Sugar Showdown - Added Sugar vs. Natural Sugar
Decoding Nutrition Labels: The Sugar Showdown - Added Sugar vs. Natural Sugar

One of the key tools at your disposal for making these decisions is the nutrition label found on most packaged foods.  In this blog post, we dive into the intricacies of reading nutrition labels and, more specifically, explore the crucial difference between added sugar and natural sugar when it comes to your health.

Continue Reading

2023 Vitamin D Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need To Know About This Vitamin Powerhouse
2023 Vitamin D Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need To Know About This Vitamin Powerhouse

While vitamin D is well-known, many aren't aware of its lesser known, yet equally important, counterpart, K2. When paired, these vitamins offer a symphony of health benefits. Vitamin K2 plays an essential role in vitamin D3's ability to build and maintain healthy bones; without it, the effects of vitamin D3 decrease dramatically.

Continue Reading

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease