5 Ways to End Emotional Eating

Every year, around the end of October, I write lots of articles about healthy holiday cookies, nutritious renditions of Thanksgiving favorites, simple ways to stay slim during the holiday season, and so forth. You know — all the things that are supposed to help a health-conscious person navigate through a season of holiday dinners, cocktail parties and school festivals.

Don’t get me wrong: eating the right foods is important. But even the most creative dieting tricks and healthy stuffing recipes won’t help if you don’t follow them. Really, you already know what and how to eat. So why do you find yourself bent over a plate of brownies, or halfway through a second heaping helping of stuffing that you swore you wouldn’t take?

Tricks don’t work because they don’t explore the underlying issues, the mental and emotional side of eating. And the holidays, more than any other time, are fraught with emotions. We’re short on time, low on cash, and either overburdened with family responsibilities or feeling the pang of loneliness. Certain key dishes may also bring back happy memories of past holidays. And all those high-carb, sugar-rich holiday treats temporarily boost levels of serotonin, the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitter–which makes us crave more.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

R Anna B.

1:58AM PST on Feb 29, 2012

Good article, thank you.

send a green star

Alicia C.

5:18AM PST on Nov 20, 2010

Well said, Jelka V. I am never an "emotional eater" either so I can never understand the drama of binge eating. I only eat and HAVE TO eat when I'm hungry. My body's never tricked me.

Nancy A.

4:47PM PST on Nov 17, 2010

Something to think about. Thanks

ruth a.

9:37AM PST on Nov 14, 2010

I really like the last part of the article starting with "happiness may breed success, rather than the other way around...." A very important thing to remember.

Live in the moment!

9:32AM PST on Nov 14, 2010

9:29AM PST on Nov 14, 2010

I really like the last part of this article, beginning "happiness may breed success, rather than the other way around..." A very important thing to remember.

Live in the moment!

Mark S.

10:25PM PST on Nov 13, 2010

Thanks. Helpful advice.

Nita O.

1:01PM PST on Nov 13, 2010

Thanks

11:34AM PST on Nov 13, 2010

Thanks.