Youve probably seen and heard (and have possibly used) the phrase emotional eating.
The connotation is often a negative one, as in: Today was rough.
Im going to order a pizza, open up some Ben & Jerrys, and eat my emotions.
How Do Experts Define Emotional Eating?
Where Does the Term Come From?
It is defined as a behavioral disorder characterized by chronic, compulsive overeating, according toCleveland Clinic.
And after that, researchers started looking more closely at the connection between eating and emotional state.
I honestly despise the term because its shaming on top of being ridiculous, she says.
Eating is inherently emotional.
Its tied to survival, joy, pleasure, connectedness, and fun.
Biologically speaking, eating triggers your parasympathetic nervous system.
If were stressed or scared, eating calms us, Atkinson says.
Food is linked to memories, cultures, and customs.
Eating in these scenarios reinforces positive emotional health.
That happens each and every time we eat, she says.
Here its also important to point out, Atkinson says: Emotional eating and overeating arent synonymous.
Eating itself is an emotional experience.
This is true whether the emotions youre experiencing are happy, sad, angry, or something else.
Researchindicates that binge eating is associated with increased risk of overweight and obesity as well as depression.
And both binge eating and overeating are associated with increased marijuana and other drug use.
Take onestudywhere women ate an apple, a chocolate bar, or nothing and rated their feelings afterward.
But remember thats not synonymous with taking emotions out of eating.
More specifically, try the following strategies:
1.
The best way to cultivate this mindfulness is to actively pay attention to your eating habits.
At the same time, its important to remember that food is meant to be enjoyed.
Eat to remember, eat to relax, eat to connect, eat to love being alive.
Give yourself permission to enjoy each and every thing you eat.
To overeat less, if thats challenging for you, show yourself compassion and understanding, she adds.
Sean Hashmi, MD, is an experienced nephrologist and obesity medicine specialist based in Southern California.
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