Emotional Eating

 

Anxiety, loneliness, boredom, and anger are emotions we all experience throughout life. Food won’t fix any of these feelings—it may comfort for the short term, distract from the pain, or even numb you into a “food hangover”. But food won’t solve the problem, if anything, eating for an emotional hunger will only make you feel worse in the long run. You’ll ultimately have to deal with the source of the emotion as well as the discomfort of overeating.*
Emotional Triggers to Emotional Eating:

 

 

  • Boredom and Procrastination
  • Bribery and Reward
  • Excitement
  • Soothing
  • Love
  • Frustration, Anger, and Rage
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Mild Depression
  • Being Connected
  • Loosening the Reins

 

 

There are 4 key steps to dealing with Emotional Eating:

1. Am I biologically hungry? If the answer is yes, your next step is to honor your hunger and eat. If you are not hungry, or if you aren’t sure, answer the next question.

2. What am I feeling? Before you eat, take a time out and try to get in touch with what you are feeling.

3. What do I need? Many people eat to fulfill some unmet need, which is related to the emotional or physical feeling being experienced. Try to uncover what your true need is.

4. Would you please…? Speak up and ask for help, if needed.

 

*Tribole, Evelyn and Elyse Resch. Intuitive Eating. St. Martin’s Press, New York: 2003.

 

Cara Engle, LAPC – cengle@ growcounseling.com