EP 947 – Over-Emotional Stress Eating

Do you reach for comfort foods when you are frustrated, tired, or stressed out?

I do.

I crave chocolate covered almonds, coffee flavoured Hagen Daas Ice Cream, and Cadbury mini eggs.

These cravings are worse when I am emotional or feeling out of control.

We know that cortisol increases food cravings for sugary or fatty foods. It also increases hunger hormones which can lead to us making poor nutritional choices.

So Here are today’s Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating National Emotional Over-Eating Month:

Emotional overeating is a huge topic. Using food as a way of attempting to cope with or control feelings can lead to weight gain and poor nutrition. It is a problem when the emotional overeating leaves you feeling unhappy, guilty, and less than.

Eating can distract you and calm you. You may see it as a reward…a way of doing something special for yourself.

Start by understanding which emotions increase your cravings.

Create a clear picture of what “peace with food” means for you. Visualize yourself at your best and the role you want food and eating to play in your life.

Look for ways to indulge and reward yourself without turning to food.
One site suggested to look for things that smell good rather than taste good – I am attracted to hand creams and fabric sprays, so maybe that will work for me as a mood booster. Another suggested to look for things that feel good – like a fuzzy blanket or sweater.

It is all about addressing the habit to reach for foods that in the end, don’t satisfy or leave you feeling less than.

Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Check out my Live Smart blog at worksmartlivesmart.com