Do you often reach for that packet of chips or sweets whenever you feel stressed? According to experts, this could be a sign emotional eating Or eating under stress that can wreak havoc on your fitness and overall health. But what exactly is it, and why does it happen? We spoke to experts to understand more.
Why is there emotional eating?
Dr (PhD) Syed Zafar Sultan Rizvi, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, SLA, Noida International University said, most of the time emotional eating is due to high tendency to negative emotions, low resilience, high stress and worries.
“This type of (emotional) eating leads to many problems including obesity and sudden weight gain (due to unhealthy eating habits). Most research suggests that 60 percent of overeating is due to emotional eating behavior in which a person suffers from emotional imbalance or negativity that leads to fulfilling activities such as eatRizvi clarified.
The tension belly is the body’s way of responding to stress. Sometimes, genetics also plays a role. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)
Additionally, experts point out that the most common foods we consume when we’re stressed are often high in saturated fat and sugar. “Nutrient quality is not the main issue. But once we allow ourselves to eat under stress for a few days, we subconsciously see it as the only way to satisfy our emotions and get out of it.” It gets tough. Always remember that there is nothing wrong in taking a break but don’t let it become a habit. Habits turn into lifestyle and a poor eating habits lifestyle can lead to illness,” says Dr. Rohini Patil, MBBS, Nutritionist and CEO of NutraCy Lifestyle.
Why should you stop?
Apart from affecting your fitness level, this kind of eating can hamper your immunity, Dr. Rizvi also mentioned. Experts suggest engaging yourself in other activities during such times, focusing on the triggers, and not letting yourself feel deprived. “If we can work properly on habit-forming, such as a healthy diet and regular meditation, we can get rid of emotional eating habits. Control and solve thoughts and negative emotions through the concept of problems. Doing rational thinking This is the best way forward,” Rizvi said.
Here are tips to help you, as shared by fitness influencer Sim Valecha.
*Find other activities to deal with negative emotions – writing in a journal, reading a book, etc.
*Start a food diary – note what you are eating in a day so that at the end of the day, you can look back and recognize that today was different than yesterday trigger
*Think about the amount of food you’re eating while you’re emotionally – instead of eating a whole tub of ice cream you can scoop it out into a bowl and Eat,
*Get help: talk to a friend or join support groups.
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