top of page

What is emotional eating and how to identify it


A woman with a worried face expression sitting by the table with waffles, fruit and coffee in front of her with orange juice in her hand

Have you noticed that when you are stressed or things have happened, you feel like you need to eat?


This could be emotional eating, so let's go and find out what emotional eating is.


It is the tendency to turn to food for comfort, to relieve stress or to help cope with difficult emotions.

Emotional eaters use food to calm or prevent negative feelings such as anxiety, boredom, loneliness or sadness.


Emotional eaters usually eat when they are not hungry, so it can become a habit or addiction. Eating triggers the release of dopamine, which is associated with pleasure and reward in the brain.


Why is this not good? Over time, it can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food, which can develop into an unhealthy lifestyle, weight gain, feelings of guilt and a cycle of emotional eating.

It is important to note that emotional eating is normal and not always a cause for concern, but if it interferes with daily life and becomes a habit, it may be a reason to seek professional help.


Make sure to stay healthy and develop good relationships with food you eat!


 
Sign up to personalised diet plan here:

Comments


bottom of page