Emotional Eating
I recognise that during times of emotional turmoil, our instinct is often to turn to food. Sometimes, we find ourselves mindlessly standing in front of the refrigerator, seeking solace. Let’s explore this phenomenon from two angles.
Firstly;
Satisfying ourselves with nutritious foods is crucial in curbing overeating tendencies. Those who have worked with me understand how their cravings diminish when they make healthier choices. Eliminating sugar from your diet and reducing grain intake, even if they’re gluten-free, are key strategies. Additionally, incorporating more vegetables ensures prolonged satiety.
How do we know when we’re physically full? Our stomachs expand, blood sugar levels rise, and signals are transmitted to the brain indicating that we’ve consumed enough food. However, the question remains: are we truly attuned to these signals? Often, our minds are preoccupied, whether with television, social media, or looming tasks, while we eat, causing us to ignore these cues and overeat.
As a result, our stomachs become uncomfortably distended, prompting our brains to recognise that something isn’t right. Our bodies possess a sophisticated mechanism that alerts us, signaling, “Your stomach feels overly full.” In an attempt to numb this discomfort, we continue eating, thereby numbing ourselves to the point of potential nausea or discomfort.
How did we reach this point? By disregarding the initial signals of fullness. So what’s the solution? We must focus our attention on our meals and practice mindful eating.
The second issue revolves around the tendency to seek emotional fulfillment through food. Often, we burden our meals with unrealistic expectations. While meals are intended to nourish us, providing essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, they cannot replace emotional fulfillment. Currently, these nutrients serve as substitutes for companionship, affection, and unexpressed emotions, perpetuating a cycle of emotional numbness.
I’ve outlined how this numbness manifests, likening it to addictive behaviours such as alcohol or cigarette consumption. We resort to numbing ourselves to evade confronting emotions that feel overwhelming. However, this coping mechanism merely masks the underlying issues. Just as waking up after a night of heavy drinking doesn’t erase the unpleasant aftermath, neither does overeating alleviate our emotional distress.
So what’s the alternative to emotional eating? Firstly, we must acknowledge and accept our emotions rather than avoiding or denying them. Then, we can explore healthier coping mechanisms. What brings joy and fulfilment to our lives? Whether it’s a walk in nature or engaging in hobbies, we must prioritise activities that nourish our souls rather than numbing our emotions.
What brings you happiness?
Take care, with love..
Benay Benli
