Emotional Eating

Many people overeat for emotional eatings. The phrase “comfort foods” is used in many people’s vocabulary to point to foods that make them feel better when things are difficult.

Some common emotions that lead to eating too much food include loneliness, boredom, depression and tension. Psychotherapists will help obese people try to find substitutes other than food as the emotions get processed. Sometimes people will say that they feel safe and protected by their extra weight and it’s a way to not interact with others.

Food can be seen as nurturance and some people after criticism or disappointments turn to food to get the warmth and full feeling that is associated with love and care.

Sometimes the hormonal changes of pms can cause someone to have sugar cravings. By being conscious of when this time of month aruises you can help to control your reactions. There is also an emotionality tied up with this time and tearfulness and many mood changes.

It’s important to examine your own body image as well as how you were rewarded or punished with food as a kid to get into in depth the relation you have to various foods.