Why We Turn to Emotional Eating

It happens to us occasionally, especially in stressful moments. Uncontrolled eating that comes as a response to stress, anxiety, sadness, anger, and more.

The act of eating itself brings feelings of guilt and frustration, which we, in turn, try to soothe without control.

Turning to food aims to fill an emotional void. It's not hunger-driven eating. It momentarily uplifts us and pushes away the discomfort—but only temporarily, while the damage it causes lingers, leading to eating disorders, guilt feelings after the fleeting satisfaction food provides, and more.

Negative emotions trigger emotional eating again, leading to a repetitive cycle.

Weight gain springs from overeating, not out of hunger—our bodies don't need that food. When consuming processed foods high in calories with loads of sugar and fat to satisfy emotional needs, it can result in health issues like diabetes, high cholesterol, inflammation, and more.

Even our natural hunger and satiety signals get numbed. We find ourselves unsure—are we eating from hunger or emotional need?

Food blends the needs of the body with the mind. Food and the focus on it bear deep-rooted emotional roles, making it hard to detach from them.

Sometimes, we use food to suppress feelings and fears—emotional eating burdens the body, then stress moves from the nervous system to the digestive system, helping us forget the emotion momentarily. Food is a painkiller that doesn't solve the problem, only treating the symptom. It soothes, fills, comforts—but then frustration and self-criticism follow.

The way to end this is by identifying the root cause, finding a healthy alternative that comforts instead of food. Understanding our motive is key. Believing in our ability involves working on awareness and listening without criticism. Even if we stumble—there's no reason to beat ourselves up. Criticism doesn't propel us forward.

We should seek alternatives like reading, playing music, painting, writing, going for a walk, listening to music.

Food can also provide an answer, but here we control the quantity and quality of food.

Zohara Sharvit is a naturopath N.D and an iris diagnosis expert with many years of experience in treatment, counseling, and leading workshops. To book a free workshop, call 073-2221290