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How to stop emotional eating? Psychologist Krishna Dewani suggests tips and tricks
Emotional or stress-induced eating is one of the common issues that we all face. For the unversed, most of us use food as a way to deal with their feelings and not to satisfy hunger.
Emotional or stress-induced eating is one of the common issues that we all face. For the unversed, most of us use food as a way to deal with their feelings and not to satisfy hunger. By eating especially comfort food such as burgers, donuts, and chocolates, one tries to suppress or soothe emotions which could be stress, anger, fear or sadness. Apart from these, hassles in daily life can also trigger varied emotions which can lead to emotional eating. This is a temporary coping mechanism but the same will lead to other health issues including obesity.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with Pinkvilla, psychologist Krishna Dewani gave some tips and tricks on how one can overcome emotional eating. She said, "As we know that water is the best solution for almost every health-related problems, especially stress-induced eating is water. If you are under stress and the individual feels the need to eat then a glass of water must be grabbed first so that the stomach fills and food cravings are reduced. The second option is "distraction". Making yourself distracted from where the food also helps in passing the time when the craving occurs."
She added, "Other than that regular self-talk can help. Anybody who has emotional or stress-induced eating habits can sit with oneself every morning and say to self "I am stress-free, I have complete self-control over my eating habits and I am going to make healthy choices". This talk in the morning will definitely boost self-confidence and prepare oneself for the situation well in advance."
Why food?
If you are thinking why we resort to food to suppress the feelings, then let me tell you that when negative emotions build-up, an emotional void is created and food is believed to fill the void and creates an illusion of fullness. People who hardly engage in activities, indulge in negative self-talking, mix up hunger cues and has changing cortisol levels are the ones who end up having emotional bingeing.
So, how to know that you are actually hungry or just emotionally hungry?
When you are emotionally hungry, then it is mostly sudden in nature. Mostly we crave for certain foods only and even after bingeing on nonstop there is no sensation of fullness. If you feel guilty or shame about the eating then mostly it was due to emotional hunger.
Bottom Line
One should cope with stress, be active, give positive self-talk and keep a track of the food intake to stop the mindless eating.
