Emotions and our Eating Habits

We know that when we are stressed we could be more likely to reach for comfort foods and/or overeat if we don’t find other ways to address our emotions.

But, why do we feel like “eating our emotions” in the first place? And what can we do to break the cycle?

 

The Role of Emotions

Dr David Simon is the CEO, cofounder, and medical director of The Chopra Center in California USA. Here, he explains how important it is that we recognise the connection between emotion and our eating habits.

“Our emotions play an essential role in our eating habits. We learned early in life how putting something in our mouths soothed upset feelings. Whether it was a breast, a bottle, a pacifier, or a thumb, all of us were conditioned to associate our mouths with comfort. It's not surprising that adults under stress resort to smoking, drinking, or excessive eating. In addition, when we experience stress, our bodies release hormones that cause us to conserve energy, and recent studies have shown that disturbed sleep patterns associated with stress increase levels of hormones responsible for appetite.”

Recognising the difference between Emotional Hunger and Physical Hunger

According to the University of Texas Counseling and Mental Health Center’s web site, these are the keys:

1.    Continue reading below...

1.    Emotional hunger comes on suddenly; physical hunger occurs gradually.

2.    When you are eating to fill a void that isn't related to an empty stomach, you crave a specific food, such as pizza or ice cream, and only that food will meet your need. When you eat because you are actually hungry, you're open to options.

3.    Emotional hunger feels like it needs to be satisfied instantly with the food you crave; physical hunger can wait.

4.    Even when you are full, if you're eating to satisfy an emotional need, you're more likely to keep eating. When you're eating because you're hungry, you're more likely to stop when you're full.

5.    Emotional eating can leave behind feelings of guilt; eating when you are physically hungry does not.

 

Becoming in Tune with our Habits

Dr Simon David goes on to suggest some ways in which we can become more in tune with our emotions and eating habits.

 

1.    Practice meditation to manage your stress.

2.    Exercise regularly.

3.    Eat the six tastes at every meal, ensuring that you have spicy and bitter foods to stimulate metabolism.

4.    Honour your appetite, eating only when you are hungry. Stop eating when you're comfortable, not when you're stuffed.

5.    Learn conscious communication skills to meet your emotional needs.

6.    Drink ginger tea before each meal.

 

What other things can you think of to minimise the stress in your life?