Nutrition Advice: Emotional Eating

Food really is medicine!

Most of us think we just lack the willpower to keep food out of our mouths when we feel emotionally upset; but, it turns out, the body is actually crying out for help.

Foods rich in carbohydrates or fat — such as potato chips, chocolate, ice cream, cookies, and pastries — increase the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, two primary chemicals that tell the body to calm down and relax. These increased levels elevate our mood so we start to feel better.

And because the body knows that fruit and vegetables lack the concentrated amounts of carbs and fat found in those not-so-good-for-you snacks, we don’t reach for them when feeling distressed. So it’s not willpower that you need; it’s healthier coping mechanisms for stress and troubling emotions.
It is absolutely okay to eat for emotional reasons every once in a while. But if it becomes your primary coping mechanism, it will interfere with weight loss, health, self-esteem, and productivity.

Identifying underlying issues and coming up with effective, motivational strategies to deal with the actual concern is crucial.

We offer a variety of ways to address and overcome emotional eating confidently and positively!

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