Emotional eating is using food to escape, numb, change, or amplify our feelings. It is a very common and normal coping mechanism in response to strong feelings.
When a person is an emotional eater, they have difficulty telling the difference between physical hunger and emotional hunger.
Physical hunger is when your body sends you signs to let you know it is time for nourishment.
Emotional hunger is when we don’t eat because we are hungry, but because we are bored, stressed, sad, lonely, or anxious.
Research shows that about 75% of all our eating is emotionally driven.
Other causes of emotional eating include:
- Dieting
- Situational stressors
- Seasonal stressors
Several signs indicate a person might be prone to emotional eating, including:
- Sudden, urgent cravings
- Only craving certain foods, such as sweets or junk food
- Overeating
- Shame or guilt
Having unhealthy food on occasion isn’t harmful. Sometimes we need a piece of chocolate, candy, or a few potato chips to feel better. However, it can become a problem when it happens frequently, or it becomes your main coping mechanism.
There are many steps you can take to reduce or stop emotional eating, including:
- Changing your diet to be healthier
- Being mindful of what you’re eating
- Avoiding letting yourself get too hungry
If you are dealing with emotional eating, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider, such as a mental health professional, for an assessment to help determine if you have an underlying medical issue or something else.
To learn more about Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s mental health services, schedule a virtual appointment, or speak with our intake coordinator, call (718) 670-5316 or (718) 670-5562 to reach the clinic.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.