3 Ways to Stop Emotional(Stress) Eating

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Emotional eating! Although most people shy away from it, we have to talk about it, people! Emotional/Stress eating has a strong presence in the lives of many.

Most of us have caught ourselves giving in to this unhealthy habit; ranging from making a bed partner out of large containers of ice cream or bags of chips.

Yet, we want to shed those extra pounds meanwhile we fail to be conscious of the number of calories we ingest.

Yes, I have equally been down that road, and it was a daunting task getting over it!

There were moments; when I sought comfort from food because it made me feel better, but that rather kept me hooked, and I kept piling up the pounds – This was not at all funny! It was real, but that was then.

In families where weight problems are hereditary, addressing emotional eating should be done in unison because it facilitates the process for other family members to stay on track.

When your child finds you binge-eating on unhealthy food options, it becomes very unlikely for that child to do otherwise.

Like every other habit, emotional eating can be broken. It might be hard, but it is possible.

Here are 3 trusted ways to help you stop emotional eating:

Buy healthy foods

First things first! What do you put in your shopping cart?

Do you stock up on all the junk stuff? If you do not want to eat them, do not bring them home!

Check your pantry and refrigerator for the food choices that tempt you and find ways to limit them. If you can, do not stock up on them at all!

On the contrary, consider low fat, low calorie, unprocessed and low-fat foods like fruits and vegetables, baked sweet potato chips, and popcorn without butter, and be the example you want your kids to emulate; by enjoying healthier food options.

What are your triggers?

Figuring out the cause of emotional eating is the next step.

The next time you grab that comfort food, pause for a second, and ask yourself this question; “am I really hungry? Why do I need this?

Second, query your emotions. How are you feeling at this point?

Are you scared, sad, lonely, bored, stressed, or angry? Identify your emotions and stay mindful of them. Remember, that you eat to fuel your body, not your emotions.

If your kids are involved, make a habit of constantly checking in with them to see if they are aware (if so, how much?) of the challenges (emotional and social) they could be experiencing and be patiently present; in helping them make more meaningful choices when dealing with their emotions without considering food as an option (the escape route).

Be interested in how they are feeling. Do they feel bad or good about life as a whole?

What are their worries, how is school going, and how do their friends treat them at school?

Questions along this line promise you, unimaginable insights into what could be going on in their lives.

Remember to seek the help of a mental health provider.

As opposed to younger kids who might not be suitable candidates for psychotherapy, older ones would find it very helpful as it helps them decode the reasons behind their eating disorder(emotional eating).

Fix the problem by being in control

Now that you know why food gives you comfort, it is time to figure out alternative ways to help you cope rather than resort to emotional eating.

Is this going to be a walk in the park? Certainly, not for long, people.

There could be moments of frustration when you might feel as though you lost control of it all, but you can fix this if you are truly willing to do so.

Invite some distractions into your life such as going to visit a friend, calling a family member, getting on any social media, and browsing through random profiles – I am sure you would figure out something.

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a step”, the old saying says.

Take one step at a time by not eradicating all your favorite foods at once.

Rather, you could have them occasionally, but do so in smaller portions, and be mindful of how you eat them.

Make this new habit fun, and you would find it easier to cultivate. It worked for me!

Be kind to yourself, and take little steps towards this goal.

Positive reinforcement serves as a powerful tool when kids are involved.

Praise your kid when he/she either grabs a fruit or a slice of cake instead of two.

Fixing emotional eating is doable because you can do it!  Who is ready for a change?