My day was stressful, and I need the comfort of food! After an argument with my partner eating felt good for me. Most of us are familiar with these situations. But we often don’t realize how much we are unconsciously driven when eating. Emotional eating takes place when we eat because of feelings even though we are not hungry on a physical level. For example, when we develop eating behaviors that are linked to certain feelings through upbringing, habits, or instilled beliefs.
When I find myself heading for a fast-food place, I stop and ask myself why I want to eat. Am I really hungry? Or is it stress, sadness, boredom? Eating is a habit, like many other things in our lives. Alternatively, how about a phone call with a friend, a walk, an exciting book, some gardening, or a relaxing bath? This past weekend I took a long drive and allowed myself to eat a Poke bowl at my destination. If you often feel stressed and frustrated in everyday life, it is important to actively find balance and relaxation.
Intermittent fasting, introduced to me first by my daughter-in-law Heather, is my new strategy for more balance. I follow Dr. Mindy Pelz if you want a good reference. My way out of this vicious circle of emotional eating. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t manage to change your eating behavior right away. Always be aware that every change takes time. My eating behavior does not define me as a person, and that should be true for you.
Intermittent fasting helps me to separate my eating behavior from my emotions. Because it gradually helps me get rid of the feeling that I “have to” eat something at short intervals, eating only in a certain time window gives my day more structure. This makes it easier for me to detach my feelings from my eating habits. Especially, if I'm going through an emotionally difficult time, intermittent fasting can be my anchor. This is my strategy to combat emotional eating.
Melissa Saulnier survived Ovarian Cancer in 2006.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Melissa Saulnier does not take responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.