Emotional Eating & How to Break the Pattern

I recently heard something, that at the time, didn't register as TOO stressful or upsetting, until I took a breath and realized five minutes later that I was, mindlessly, eating a big piece of dark chocolate. It's then that I realized that before eating that chocolate, I was feeling a little anxious.

Emotional eating. 

It's amazing how our body tries to regulate itself when it's off balance with whatever is most accessible - and for most it's food. 

Food is a powerful soothing mechanism. Some foods even release feel good hormones in the body and literally make you feel better. This is why I (and a lot of others) believe that food can be an addiction, and if we all look a little inward, I'd say we all have a little food addiction somewhere. Food is everywhere, it's processed, it's salty, it's loaded with sugar to make you feel better and want more soon after. 

It works. 

Some find that when they are really ready to make weight loss goals a reality, it's difficult to stay on track. That's because it's not all about the food. It's more about what's going on in your life and what you eating and craving... and why. Are you stressed? Are you tired? Do you have a good support system?

Don't beat yourself up for eating cookies instead of carrots. Be kind to yourself and work on understanding your cravings. 

If you are having trouble with eating well and weight loss, try this exercise. 

Keep a log of what you are craving, how you feel and what you eat and how you feel afterwards. This will help you understand the connections between what you eat and how you feel. 

Notice any patterns. Are you eating baked goods or sodas around 3 when you're tired? Are you dehydrated?

Craving & Time of Day	How are you feeling emotionally?	Food eaten	How are you feeling emotionally (after)

What's your biggest craving? 

To learn more about achieving your weight loss goals and understanding your emotional eating habits, email me at theplantbasedhealthcoach@gmail.com to schedule a free consultation. 

Happy health!