Why Does Emotional Eating Feel So Good?
I would consider myself a “big girl”.I have a bit more weight than I would like to have. I am not humongous, but just overweight enough to the point where it has affected my cholesterol. This is largely because I like to eat…a LOT! I find myself eating even when I am not necessarily hungry, but bored. I do take prescription medications for other reasons (change in appetite is also a side effect) that has changed the way I eat.
I use to be a healthy weight and took very good care of myself years back. I can’t blame it all on “baby weight”, because I had my son almost 18 years ago, so that doesn’t count. I feel good when I eat. It took me some years to realize that I am an emotional eater. I eat more when I am depressed. I’m sure you have read about this “disorder” or seen it on a talk show; you know, people who eat when they are bored or depressed. I wouldn’t say that I need to go to Dr. Phil or Dr. Oz to see what’s wrong with me. Prescription medications (especially antidepressants) can affect your appetite, causing you to crave food more.
There have been moments when I would bite into a juicy hamburger or eating a piece of delectable chocolate, my mind would feel at ease, and mentally, it felt at peace. Most women simply love chocolate anyway. I can easily curl up in my bed with a pack of Kit Kat and watch YouTube for a few hours on my phone. Food seems like the best friend a girl could have. Being in my early 40’s now, and overeating is not healthy at all. Risks of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, etc. can come knocking at anyone’s door who chooses to eat poorly.
Something about food makes me feel “safe.” I can be completely satisfied eating a sushi spider roll for lunch or dinner without having someone to share it with. I’ve often thought to myself, “do more single people (such as myself), who emotionally overeat because they have no one else to share their feelings with?” I most certainly do not have an issue with getting a man or obtaining a relationship at all. I do not the headache of just jumping into a relationship because I’m 41 and other people think I need someone. Unfortunately, food has always been a comfort to me. I enjoy eating all kinds of foods, especially sweets.
Top Reasons Why People Emotionally Overeat
Eating a bowl of cereal could make me happy. I know I am not the only one. Many people emotionally eat to find a place to escape. Boredom would be on my top list of why people emotionally eat. Some reasons why people emotionally eat are:
- Depression or Heartbreak
- Loss of job or business
- Stress
- Boredom
- Excitement
- Gluttony
Sometimes it seems as if the food will always be there for you even if people necessarily aren’t. There have been times where I would pick up the phone to reach out to someone (who wasn’t available) but chose to grab a can of soda or a pack of candy to make me feel better. As humans, we all need human interaction, and I have time most of the time, but for some strange reason, food seems to be a staple in my life that gives me comfort and peace. Although eating when I feel down in the dumps or bored is not the answer, I have come to the understanding that I can eat healthier even if I’m bored or feeling down.
Finding Balance and Other Alternatives
Emotionally eating in comparison is a temptation. You can give in to it, or not, but ultimately, it’s a choice. A few weeks back at my doctor’s appointment, he reminded me that I don’t have to eat junk foods, just opt for healthier options. He was right. Even if the medication I am on affects my appetite, or if I feel down, I can still eat healthier. Truthfully, food is fun, but we can’t blame high cholesterol all on familial hereditary diseases. You like to eat. Plain and simple.
Start looking at patterns in your life (and journal them) that cause you to overeat or emotionally eat. Even if your metabolism is high and you never gain weight from the foods, it’s still better to eat healthier or find something constructive to do instead of grabbing that extra slice of pizza. I’m at the point where I am rediscovering myself and the talents and gifts God has blessed me with and slowly looking at food as a choice, instead of a necessity.
