We have all heard the phrase “emotional eating”, right? But what exactly does that mean? Emotional eating is eating in response to emotions and feelings rather than hunger. You might be so sad or so happy or so angry that you unconsciously allow these emotions to take control of your body and mind.
Indulging in emotional eating every now and then is okay, but letting it turn into a habit is definitely dangerous. Don’t let emotional eating sabotage your weight! Here are some of the best ways to stop emotional eating.
1. Track your eating habits
One of the easiest ways to keep a track of your eating habits is to keep a food journal and to write down the causes of emotional eating and how you get over it. This will help you to catch yourself red-handed next time you open your cookie jar!
2. Determine the emotion
Ask yourself what rules your mind when you feel an urge to eat. It’s important to recognize hunger. If you are hungry, then go ahead. If you are not hungry, don’t eat. Instead, try to satiate your taste buds with sugar-free gum.
More: 7 Ways to Recognize Hunger
3. Control your emotions
When you are feeling a little down or you are just angry at somebody, try meditation to give vent to your bad emotions. You can even scream out aloud into your pillow, it’s much better than emotional eating.
You can also talk to your close friend or your relative whom you really trust. Just make sure that you get rid of your negative emotions in the healthiest way.
4. Think of alternatives to emotional eating
There are a lot of alternatives to emotional eating, so why do you treat yourself to a double chocolate fudge sundae when dancing around with your best friends is also fun? If you feel a little down, call your best friend and share your problems rather than eating those cookies.
Sure, sometimes it can be impossible to control your emotions, but you need to learn how to do it if you don’t want to end up being overweight and having health problems. How do you stop emotional eating? Please comment below!
