Emotional Eating

***Some of the veterans around here may be getting tired of me posting this (as I seem to post it every 5 or 6 months). But sometimes we need to read it and re-evaluate what is really going on, before we think we need a FILL. But this would apply to anyone.

***Remember we are suppose to eat to be satisfied, NOT FILLED, NOT STUFFED. and should aim to stop eating before    we get our "sign" to stop. I am sooooo NOT perfect, and I struggle with my demons everyday (and I don't mean my preschoolers at work, LOL). But me posting this is just as sobering for me  and my own recovery. But since soooo many of us are part of the CLEAN PLATE CLUB, we have never known what "satisfied" is suppose to feel like. Anyway, hope you find yourself in this...

 

Are you attending regular support group meetings?
This is from one of our Support Group Meetings. I just have to post this, as soooooo many of us are Emotional Eaters!!!! I keep this posted at work, in areas I can get a glance of it, especially where I keep my emergency food stash.

Eight Signs of Emotional Eating

A lot of people ask, "How do I know if I am over eating for emotional reasons?" If any of the following statements sound like they could apply to you, then it's likely you are struggling with emotional eating.


1. My hunger comes on suddenly. Physical hunger comes on slowly. Hunger from emotional eating often comes on quickly and suddenly.

 

2. I crave specific foods-generally not carrot sticks or steamed broccoli.Cravings for specific foods usually unhealthy foods are signs of emotional eating. Often people like the rush they get from satisfying their cravings. The rush is fulfilling emotional hunger.　

3. My hunger feels urgent- I need a particular food right away and I am willing to walk out of my way, or get in your car late at night, or raid my kids Halloween candy to get it. Physical hunger, unless you haven’t eaten for a long time, is usually pretty patient. It will wait for food. Emotional hunger demands to be satisfied immediately.

4. My hunger is often paired with an upsetting emotion- if I backtrack a few hours or a few days I’ll usually find an upsetting event and feeling that triggered the urge. Hunger thats comnnected to an upsetting emotion or situation is definately emotional hunger. Physical hunger is not typically triggered by emotions.

5. My eating habits involve unconscious eating-all of a sudden I’m eating ice cream and I find the whole contianer is gone.

6. I don’t stop eating in response to being full- I keep wanting more of the taste of the food. Physical hunger doesn’t need to be stuffed in order to be satisfied. Emotional hunger on the other hand often demands more and more food to feel satisfied.

7. My hunger isn’t located in he belly- I crave the taste of a certain food in my mouth or I can’t stop thinking of a certan food. Feeling hungry in this way is usually a sign of emotional hunger or binging. Physical hunger is happy to get what it can, while emotional hunger usually focuses on specific tastes and textures.

8. After I satisfy my hunger, I am often filled with a sense of regret or guilt. Feeding your body what it needs is not something to feel guilty about. If you feel guilty after you eat, it’s likely because part of you knows you’re not eating just to satisfy physical hunger.

When you’re eating for phyiscal reasons, you are usually mindful of what you’re doing. If you catch yourself eating, “just because”, then its likely you’re eating for emotional reasons..
 

I'm over a year out and I appreciate your post. Its a great reminder! #7 is a big one for me. Sometimes if I know a snack is in my house I will continue to obsess about it. I just cant stop thinking about it until I eat it!!

Hi Giants,

I still struggle , thats why I have gained 10 pounds. Here are 2 books that the Nutritionist from my Dr. Office recommended  Mindless Eating by Brain Wansink PHD & The End Of Over Eating By David Kessler, MD

Interesting reading that is NOT BORING!!!!!

prek3

Thank you I will definitely check it out

Since emotional eating is something that most of us must deal with for the rest of our lives, any advice in that department certainly deserves repeating often!