EMOTIONAL EATING
While new research on nutrition seems to come out every day, and low carb diet books top the
bestseller lists, many people continue to be overweight. This is because, even if we know what we’re
supposed to be eating, there are additional factors that influence how much and what type of food
we consume. One is these factors is stress, which is linked to increased emotional eating.
Emotional eating has many causes. The following are some of the main reasons – besides hunger –
that stressed people eat:
Cortisol Cravings: Stress can bring on increased levels of cortisol, known as he “the stress
hormone”. Cortisol has a beneficial function in the body, but excessive levels of cortisol brought
on by chronic stress can cause a slew of problems in the body. Among other things, high levels of
cortisol can create cravings for salty and sweet foods. In previous centuries, this enabled people
to bulk up on foods that would sustain them during times when food is scarce; however, in
modern times and industrialized nations, when food is rarely scarce, this previously adaptive
mechanism causes excess weight gain.
Social Eating: Often people who are under stress will seek out social support, which is a great
way to relieve stress. Unfortunately for dieters, when people get together – especially women –
we tend to go out for a nice meal. Crying on your friend’s shoulder over a couple of hot fudge
sundaes, going out for a night on the town and a plate full of fried appetizers, sharing a bowl of
chips with the guys as you watch a game, or a family BBQ are all forms of emotional eating. It
can make you feel better in the short term, but you may regret later.
Nervous Energy: When stressed or anxious, many people become “orally fidgety”. Sometimes
this leads to nail biting or teeth grinding, and often it leads to eating when not hungry. Many
people, out of nervousness or boredom, just munch on chips or drink soda to give their mouths
something to do.
Childhood Habits: Many of us have comforting childhood memories that revolve around food.
Whether your parents used to reward you with sweets, fix your boo-boos with an ice cream cone,
or make your favorite meal (or take you out to one) to celebrate your successes, you’d probably
be in the vast minority if you didn’t develop some emotionally-based attachments to food while
growing up. When in times of stress, few things can be as powerfully comforting or rewarding as
your favorite food. Because many people don’t develop more effective coping strategies, this type
of emotional eating is very common: people eat to celebrate, eat to feel better, and eat to deal
with the stress of being overweight.
Stuffing Emotions: Another emotional reason that many people eat is to quiet uncomfortable
emotions. People who are uncomfortable with confrontation may deal with frustrations in their
marriage with a piece of cake, for example, rather than with open communication. Food can take
the focus off of anger, resentment, fear, anxiety, and a host of other emotions we’d sometimes
rather not feel, and is often used for this purpose.
While there are many reasons for emotional eating, and it’s a prevalent fixture in our society, it’s not
necessarily good for us, as anyone who’s watching their weight will tell you. If you’re an emotional
eater, it’s important for you to be aware of this, keep an eye on your triggers, and develop some
effective stress management techniques and coping skills so that your body stays healthy and you
choose your diet, rather than feeling out of control.