Many of us want to find comfort, especially when in a stressful situation. In conversation with Ms. Sonal Talegaonkar, Consultant Nutritionist, we get to know more about emotional eating and the reason behind it.

 

  1. Emotional eating

When people use food as a means to deal with feelings instead of to satisfy hunger, it is called emotional eating. We've all been there, finishing a whole bag of chips out of boredom or munching on cookies when stressed or before a big deadline.

Our society, culture as well as food commercials link food to emotion. When you are stressed the body starts producing more cortisol (stress hormone), cortisol makes you crave saltier, sugary, fatty foods and traps you in the yo-yo cycle.

 

  1. Harmful aspects of emotional eating

When done a lot -especially without realizing it -emotional eating can affect weight, health, and overall well-being. It can result in a host of weight-related issues like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Also, it enhances emotional distress by sparking feelings of intense guilt post an emotional binge session.

 

  1. Tips to prevent or avoid emotional eating.
  • First & foremost, recognize the behavior without self-judgment.
  • Accept that you have this problem and address it will solutions other than food.
  • Example: If you are bored, watch a movie or read a book.
  • If you are sad or lonely, talk to a friend, meditate or watch some comedy shows!
  • The goal is to replace food with one of the more productive solutions is the only way to overcome emotional eating long-term.
  • Being mindful & having self-control will show you a drastic change.

 

Ask yourself the following 3 questions?

If you answer YES to more than 3 questions then you need a lifestyle modification.

  1. Am I eating more than usual?
  2. Am I eating at unusual times like night?
  3. Am I having trouble with weight loss?
  4. Am I going through any stress and seeking happiness in food?

 

4. Reason behind emotional eating

We learn emotional eating or leaning towards food for solace from childhood. A kid who is given chocolate to pacify is linked to how we use food to pacify our emotional unrest or stress. It is not easy for many to unlearn this pattern but it is important to unlearn this.

 

5. Signs of emotional eating

  • You eat to feel happy
  • You eat in response to your emotions
  • You eat mindlessly without little attention to taste & texture
  • You keep eating even when you are full
  • You have random cravings
  • It causes feelings of guilt, shame & powerlessness

 

Lastly, do not make food as a coping mechanism for the stress and emotional worries in life. Having a healthy food relationship plays a big role in living a healthy life.

 

Eat Right, Not Less

 

Sonal’s Nutrofit

Ms. Sonal Talegaonkar

Clinical Nutritionist 

 

Contact details

+91 9967707376 (INDIA)

+977 9861556858 (NEPAL)

 

You can find us on Facebook & Instagram (sonalsnutrofit)