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Health 52
Info Tip:
Emotional Eating
If you know you eat more than you should, but can’t seem to break the habit,
take time to explore not only what you eat, but why.
Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic say that as much as 75% of overeating is
caused by emotions. Food offers comfort in times of depression, boredom,
loneliness, anger and frustration.
You need to identify your eating “triggers.” For example, as a child you may
have been rewarded with dessert if you finished your vegetables, or pacified
with candy when you skinned your knee.
Perhaps you give in easily to situational eating. In other words, you’re
conditioned to eat buttered popcorn every time you go to the movies, or your
first stop when you get home is the refrigerator.
Nutritionists say that people often think they’re hungry when their
body is really signaling thirst, so reach for water before food.
Once you learn to recognize the feeling of true hunger and you understand
your eating triggers, you should be better able to regain control of your
habits by developing healthy alternatives to overeating.
And to avoid emotional binges on junk food, keep healthy snacks like sweet,
fresh fruit readily available.
Sources: Mayo Clinic, webMD/Cleveland Clinic
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