5 Tips to End Emotional Eating
If you are struggling with emotional eating, you are not alone.
I still catch myself doing this – the other day I sit in front of my computer and open a bag of potato chips and start shovelling them inside. I stopped myself before eating the whole bag because I knew what I was. doing. Usually, when we eat due to emotions, it is normal for “check-out” and simply not present.
I stopped and asked myself from eating and I realized that I was emotional eating. So I put the chips away and went for a walk.
I have been practising being thoughtful about my eating options for quite some time, so I was able to quickly use the tool in my toolbox to get back on track.
If you want some tools in your toolbox, here are some useful hints you can practice to end emotional eating.
# 1 – DO NOT KEEP JUNK FOOD IN HOUSE.
I’m sure you’ve heard it before, and that’s because it works. If it is not in the house, you will not be fascinated. I know – your children, your partner, your dog – will not be happy to deprive you of them. But seriously, it won’t kill them to eat healthily.
When there is a temptation of junk food at home, emotional eating becomes very easy. In point, you come home after a terrible day at work and all you can think about the entire ride home is drowning your sorrows in Ben and Jerry’s pint, which you know is in the freezer. The food ends up serving as a trigger – to get rid of it.
# 2 – FIND AN HEALTHY OPTION.
Instead of focusing on grabbing ice cream when you get home, you need to find an alternative. Instead of emphasizing food, take the dog out for a walk or talk about how stressful your day was with your loving partner or best friend.
When you create new behaviours, you actually create new neural pathways — meaning you create new habits.
# 3 – RESTORE YOUR KITCHEN.
When you feel hungry, it is very easy to hold healthy food in hand and see. A fresh fruit bowl on the kitchen counter. Cut the veggies and keep them in the fridge at eye level with some hummus. There can be many trigger points like a muffin, chocolate, coffee or doughnut, etc for emotional eating stuff. That’s the point where you need to have a substitute like a smoothie. It’s healthy as well as filling. There are many smoothie recipes you can search on youtube for a healthy living.
# 4 – TAKE A SEAT.
If you are going to have a meal, you should sit at your ass kitchen table. When you plate your food, be it a meal or a snack, you are able to eat more mindfully. Think of the last time you sat down in front of the TV or computer with food. Do you really remember eating? How about feeling satisfied?
When you sit down and really pay attention to what you are eating and how much you are eating, there is a tendency to eat less because you are able to notice the signals that go from your stomach to your brain. Sends that tell you that you are “complete” – when and when you are in contact with your body’s signals, you naturally prevent yourself from overwriting.
# 5 – BE KIND TO YOURSELF.
Find other things to nourish yourself. I love scented candles at dinner, it helps set a good relaxing mood! Perhaps you like scented soap or fresh flowers. A soft blanket when you sip your tea after your meal. I know that when you want to eat you can feel a sense of control and be damned to everyone, but later on, the guilt and emotions surrounding this event make you constantly beat yourself up. Take the opportunity to pity yourself and surround yourself with things that make you feel good.
Stop Depriving Yourself! and follow these 5 Tips to End Emotional Eating and live a healthy life.
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