Emotional Eating

#1

I know this isn’t a keto only topic but I am looking for advice.
Short version: What should I do when I’m full but feel like eating due to loneliness, stress, boredom, etc?
Long version: A close family member of mine is stressing me out but I can’t avoid them because I have to help them through a medical issue… I want to eat a lot after I see them though. Then there are days where I’m by myself allllll day because my husband works often and we just moved to a new town.
It seems I can’t really fix these issues. What do you think I should do? (besides seeing a therapist) Have you been in the same boat? You’re welcome to vent if you need to. :heart:

(Stephanie Sablich) #2

My biggest, baddest enemy. Emotional eating. It’s what I do when I’m happy or sad or stressed or excited or lonely. It’s a habit and a coping mechanism. I recently moved to a new state as well, and started an intense graduate program. I used to cope with reading, nature, and food. The first two being taken away to some degree by school and winter… that left food. No good.

I’m working on replacing this particular coping mechanism, but that is a long process. So, what has worked particularly well for me is delaying gratification. I honestly tell myself that if I REALLY want something, I can have it… in 30 minutes. Something about this little psychological trick works for me. It gives me time to step away from the emotion, separate thoughts from feelings. I find that I can make a much more rational decision once I’ve tricked myself, and taken back some of my control over emotional eating.

And coming here… helps me a LOT. Hang in there, friend.

#3

Thank you for that advice, I’ve had a relationship with food in this way for a while now. I’ve spoken with people and most of them say that it can be overcomed with distractions, finding a hobby or something. I used to go to nature trails and work out but I just don’t feel the motivation anymore. I have no other hobbies though. :confused: I will try to wait 30 minutes when I feel that way and see how it goes!

(Candy Lind) #4

I kind of do that delayed gratification, too, along with serving another need - I tend towards chronic dehydration, so when I want to eat I chug a bunch of water & say “30 minutes.” If I’m still “hungry” in 30 minutes, maybe it wasn’t thirst & it really is time to eat something. A lick of salt off the back of my hand can help, as well. :tongue: :wink:

#5

I started doing some very mild mindfulness. There are free apps, guided or unguided. It really helps me figure out a bit what is going on and how much emotions & work & energy to attach to things. I see this as a lifelong type of thing, similar to keto.

(Stephanie Sablich) #6

It sounds like you’re handing quite a lot, and none of it is easy! I’m impressed with your resolve to treat yourself well.

Please please please reach out if/when you are struggling!

(Jay Patten) #7

I’m not just the president of the Emotional Eating Club, I’m also a lifetime member. Emotional eating is so tempting, so I’ve taken up some hobbies to occupy my time.

#8

Food, is a drug. The more you eat, the more you have to eat.

Try binging on other products for a while. Sugar free Jello piled high with whipped cream. Fry and eat a whole pack of bacon etc Keep them ready in the fridge.

#9

Try to delay your urges, I ask myself “am I hungry or bored, wait ten minutes”.

Works every time.

(Pete A) #10

How long have you been Keto? I’ll be frank, I really miss how good it felt to eat emotionally, comforting, an end unto itself. Luckily now I fill the time with exercise or something to keep me on my feet and engaged. But I miss ordering, eating a big Domino’s pie, ahead of a couple hours on the sofa recuperating. Sad!

Boredom, loneliness, time are my enemies. When I got into my first few weeks of Keto the positive impact and changes helped put that energy into a recovery project of sorts. But I sure do miss it!

Thanks for sharing…

#11

I have the answer to emotional eating! At least it’s been magical for me. While listening to podcasts I ran across Dr. Glenn Livingston. He’s a psychologist who struggled with his own weight until he implemented a very simple technique. It’s detailed in his FREE book on Amazon titled “Never Binge Again”. It doesn’t any sort of diet or WOE. It addresses how to handle wanting to eat off your plan of choice. I don’t know him and have zero connection other than his book changed the way I look at food overnight. It’s a tough love approach but combined with Keto I’ve never felt more in control. Check it out!

#12

When I binge I usually binge on protein based foods (even when my macros are full for the day). I can’t have too much protein or it’ll stall my weight loss.

(Chasity Hedges) #13

Totally going to try this!
@notmyname i have the sane problem! Some weeks i do great and really stick with it but then i get stressed or bored so i will eat! Sometimes i even eat when im tired and cant take a nap or go to bed at that moment…i want to over come this aswell!

#14

Glad I could shin light on the topic. I know several people struggle with it, I want to help myself as well as others…so this is a good place to try. :blush:

(Stephanie Sablich) #15

Same for me! Better than binging on carbs… but still.

#16

I just looked this up on Amazon and it happens to be free for the kindle. Thanks for the recommendation.

(Jeffie Lynn Mc Kay) #17

I’ve always been n emotional eater. In order to not feel lie I’m depriving myself on Keto, I’ll make some keto friendly cookies or a cupcake. Something that looks and tastes enough like I’m doing the “wrong” thing honestly helps. It’s like i fooled myself. lol

(Lauren) #18

I eat for ALL the emotions. I do the water, delayed gratification, and for the times waiting is too hard, I brush my teeth. No one wants to eat right after brushing.

#19

I used to do all the same. I swear I changed overnight when I read the Never Binge Again book.

(Stephanie Sablich) #20

That is an awesome trick!!