BREAK THE CURSE OF EMOTIONAL EATING

Assalamualaikum and hello peeps :)

Do you know what is meant by emotional eating? If you do not know, let me share some info about emotional eating. Emotional eating is the practice of consuming large quantities of food usually comfort or junk foods. This is due to the response to feelings instead of hunger.  Needless to say, many of us learn that food can bring comfort, at least in the short-term. As a result, we often turn to food to heal emotional problems. Besides, eating becomes a habit preventing us from learning skills that can effectively resolve our emotional distress.

On the other hand, depression, boredom, loneliness, chronic anger, anxiety, frustration, stress, problems with interpersonal relationships, and poor self-esteem can result in overeating and unwanted weight gain. By identifying what triggers our emotional eating, we can substitute more appropriate techniques to manage our emotional problems and take food and weight gain out of the equation.

So friends, how do we identify the emotions that can trigger us to overeating? Shortly, there are 5 main categories of situations and emotions that trigger us to eat.

1. Social

~ Eating when around other people. 

~ For example, excessive eating can result from being encouraged by others to eat, eating to fit in, arguing or feelings of inadequacy around other people.

2. Emotional

~ Eating in response to boredom, stress, fatigue, tension, depression, anger, anxiety, or loneliness.

3. Situational

~ Eating because the opportunity is there. 

~ For example, at a restaurant, seeing an advertisement for a particular food, passing by a bakery.

~ Eating may also be associated with certain activities such as watching TV, going to the movies or a sporting event.

4. Thoughts 

~ Eating as a result of negative self-worth or making excuses for eating. 

~ For example, scolding oneself for looks or a lack of will power.

5. Physiological

~ Eating in response to physical cues. 

~ For example, increased hunger due to skipping meals or eating to cure headaches or other pain.