Stress is a big reality in lost people’s lives. As a mom, I know that when stress really get you, there is no time to stop for it. Before you hit the MacDonalds or KFC, learn whether you were driven there by your emotions.
As moms, we experience a range of emotions. With so much going it is easy to be affected by stress without realizing it. And, that can lead to emotional eating?
So what exactly is emotional eating? It occurs when your feelings, (in other words, emotions) dictate whether you are hungry or not. Also, you eat to soothe your feelings when something is wrong.
Remember, eating is a pleasurable activity and stimulates the same center of the brain that releases those “feel good” endorphins. Wouldn’t you know it; celery is not a comfort food that makes you feel good. You will rather eat foods like macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, potato chips, ice cream and anything made from dough.
The way to counteract emotional eating is to focus on your body. All that you need to do is recognize that you are stressed or upset or sad. Pay particular attention to how and what you eat when you are on the emotional rollercoaster.
Follow my three point plan for dealing with signs of emotional eating:
1. You are hit by hunger all of the sudden. You may have eaten not long before. Instead of reaching for the chips, think about what may be causing your perceived hunger.
2. You eat and eat without ever feeling full. Emotional eating can be mind-numbing. You continue to shovel in the food even if you are not hungry. It is a mechanism to cope with your emotions instead of facing the situation that is causing the problem.
3. You are making food choices that you wouldn’t normally make. Remember those comfort foods? If you were set to make dinner for the family, stopping off at drive-thru and buying pizza or a greasy hamburger could be due to emotional issues. Experiencing depression can lead to eating unhealthy foods and feeling guilty later.
Stress gets to everyone including moms. Don’t let it ruin your healthy routine. Recognize when you are in the midst of an emotional crisis and watch what you eat.
