Why Am I Eating This? Understanding Emotional Eating (and What You Can Do About It)

Reaching for that tenth cookie or eating a whole bag of chips and realizing you were not even hungry. Many of us "mindlessly eat." You can take comfort in knowing you are not alone. This is called emotional eating; many of us do it and don't realize it.

What Is Emotional Eating?

Emotional eating is when we eat when we're not hungry. Sometimes we eat because of stress, boredom, loneliness, and even when we are happy. Food has become a way to cope with our feelings instead of nourishing our bodies.

Times we eat with our emotions:

• After a long, frustrating day

• When you're feeling lonely at night

• During a celebration or holiday

• When you're bored and want “something to do”

We seek sugary, salty, and fatty foods because they make us feel good in the moment. Unfortunately, the joy we get from these foods is short-lived. It doesn't take long for the guilt and self-loathing to settle in.

The good news is....

We can change our habits with a few simple steps.

Take a deep breath. Ask yourself, "What am I feeling right now?"

Naming your emotions "bored, anxious, and overwhelmed can be the first step to change.

Find New Ways to Cope

Taking a walk

Calling a friend

Journaling your thoughts

Sipping tea and breathing deeply

Listening to music

These simple actions can help you ride out the emotion without turning to the fridge.

Be Kind to Yourself

Understand that emotional eating isn't being a failure; it is proof that you're human. Beating yourself up and saying or thinking unkind things about yourself only fuels negative feelings.

Food is Not the Enemy

But It's Not the Solution, Either

Our goal isn't to be perfect; it is to try. Become aware and try new tools that help you build a healthier lifestyle, one day at a time.