Emotional Eating

The practice of eating when stressed, sad, angry, or bored. It is not biological hunger. It may occur in social situations with the distractions of interaction. Research shows that this practice can be a significant source of extra calories, resulting in becoming overweight or even, obese. Frequently, emotional eating is practiced when the individual wants something else, like companionship or meaningful relating. It may be resorted to as a distraction from an unsavory task (writing a paper or studying for an exam). The antidote to emotional eating is mindful eating where the individual makes healthy choices, monitors portion sizes, and practices awareness during meals. Emotional eating may be supported if the person watches TV, plays video games, or reads during the meal.