Overcoming Emotional Eating: Strategies for a Healthier You

Let's review some of the common issues related to emotional eating and discover practical strategies that help break the cycle of emotional eating while fostering a healthier connection with food and emotions.

Hello health conscious People!

Let's get started. I'm your Functional Nutrition and Lifestyle Counselor, Shoshana Richek, and I'm here to dive into the topic, Overcoming Emotional Eating.

How many times have you reached into that box for the last slice of cake when you really weren’t hungry, you just wanted to eat; or munching through a large bag of chips or candy without even realizing why. If that sounds familiar, then you're not alone. Most of us seek food as comfort for emotional reasons, even when we’re not fully aware of why we’re doing it and this simply creates a vicious cycle of emotional eating that leads to guilt, shame and feelings of unrest.

Let's unpack these complexities around emotional eating and find some practical strategies that will help you better understand a healthier you around food. Together, let's brainstorm ways to break free from those patterns of eating due to emotions and build a more positive relationship with food and feelings. Let's start this journey toward emotional well-being and healthier choices!

Emotional eating is complex. It typically involves consuming food, often in excess or focused on specific comfort foods, as a way to manage feelings such as stress, sadness, anxiety, boredom, or even positive emotions like happiness or excitement.

I can look up all of the scientific ways of describing this but the reason I’m so passionate about practicing in this field is that I was a compulsive overeater with episodes of bulimia. I don’t battle with that anymore, but memories of it linger. Even after twelve years being free from (what I call) this disease, when I am tired, I catch myself with the urge to immediately go to the kitchen for something to eat. It reminds me that these coping mechanisms stick around and our awareness is key.

Understanding our personal coping mechanisms and emotions is the first step to becoming free. Once we understand what is causing us to choose the behaviors and habits, we can help ourselves with other choices. I’ll explain now.

Right now, get a piece of paper or take notes on your phone. Think of what you can do to satisfy your needs without food (assuming you’re not hungry).

• Watch a movie
• Take a nap
• Call a friend
• Do an activity listed on your to-do list
• Make some herbal tea
• Go for a walk, even if it’s just around the yard or within your home
• Play an instrument
• Listen to music and maybe even dance
• Wash your car
• Do some yard work
• Read a book
• Color
• Write a card or letter

The important thing is to break the cycle with something that truly causes you to feel good. Use your list as a tool until you get comfortable with the interference.

While we’re here, let’s be reminded of the importance of adding plenty of water, protein, fruits, vegetables and other complex carbs.

I Hope you enjoyed reading this! If you have something to add or share, your thoughts are welcome here. And never forget, make changes for you and for the way you want to feel.

Schedule Your Free Healthy Rhythm Strategy Call
I’ll personally help you:

• Uncover what’s keeping you stuck in your relationship with food
• Gain strategies to build your confidence and trust around your food choices without tracking and restrictions
• Create a personalized action plan to break free from emotional eating and build a healthier connection with food

Take the first step toward your transformation—let's work together!