Dealing with feelings about food

In the beginning, man ate for survival. Today, eating is a much more complex issue. With rising rates of obesity and eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, eating has become a disease for many Americans.

So where does all this get started? When we tie food to our emotions. Many of us still cherish that favorite meal Mom would make for us on our birthdays. Other foods may stimulate bad feelings, like the liver and onions you would wrap in your napkin, even though you knew you would be punished. Remember, it is okay to leave food on your plate.

Food is a very complex issue for many of us. When was the last time you ate because you were really hungry and for no other reason? We eat when we socialize and celebrate, when we are at a ball game or the movies, when we are bored, depressed, or even angry, and when we are hungry.

The only way to have a good relationship with food is to understand what things lead you to eat. Look carefully at what you are eating and how you feel when you eat. Keep a written record of the emotions and events surrounding your food choices and intake. At the end of the day, look at what you have written and decide on one or two changes you can make to have a better relationship with food.

Food should be enjoyable while it nourishes our bodies. But food should not be a replacement for love, companionship, or understanding. If you find you are eating in response to your emotions, try to "treat" your emotional state with healthier alternatives like exercise, meditation, hobbies, time with friends, or directly resolving the problem that has led you to food.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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