Are You An Emotional Eater?

What you eat is important. WHY you eat is also important.

Emotional eating happens when food is eaten in response to feelings instead of hunger.

Being able to identify emotional eating triggers will help you learn to control this type of behavior.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you eat more when you’re feeling stressed?
• Do you eat when you’re not hungry or when you’re full?
• Do you eat to feel better maybe when you’re sad, mad, bored, etc.?
• Do you reward yourself with food?
• Do you regularly eat until you’ve stuffed yourself?
• Does food comfort you or make you feel safe?
• Do you feel powerless or out of control around food?

The good news is you can overcome emotional eating by identifying your triggers and replacing them with productive non-eating activities that will eventually rewire your brain to react in a new and different way.

Here are 5 suggestions to curb emotional eating:

• Chat online with others that may be going through a similar situation.
• Write in your journal; describe your feelings, your fears, and your goals.
• Read something inspiring to help change your thoughts or mood.
• Listen to some relaxing music or meditate.
• Take a walk or do some other form of physical activity; this will help relieve stress and anxiety.

Remember the first step is to face your feelings and learn to cope with them in other ways. Dealing with emotions can sometimes be painful and changing your mindset may seem difficult in the beginning. Before long you will be able to recognize your situation and make smart choices before you let it control you. Always remember to think positive, and keep a list of alternate activities close at hand.