Millions of people suffer from the problem of emotional appetite which they themselves are not aware. A person can said to be experiencing emotional appetite, if his/her craving for food is not directed by sensations of hunger and appetite. The feelings of hunger and appetite occur as a result of the proper functioning of the central nervous system. How and when we choose to eat food is determined by the central nervous system that determines the total food and energy intake.
A person who satisfies his/her appetite properly will tend to have a healthy personality; because, the person listens to the noise of stomach and the physical food requirement. Those who consume food over and above the requirement of body tend to put on weight and become obese. This happens when the person misreads the language of appetite, which is often subtle and vague. To put it simple, emotional eating can be defined as eating to feed a feeling, rather than a growling stomach.
Emotional Appetite and Emotional Well-Being
It has been found out that people with the problem of emotional appetite are often trying to satiate some of their unpleasant emotional feelings with food. In other words, they are letting their emotions to guide them in their eating. Their cravings for food will be more towards cupcakes and pies, chocolates, doughnuts, potato chips steak and pasta, which often come under the category of high-calorie and less healthy foodstuff.
A majority of the people who experience emotional appetite have revealed that they over eat in an attempt to numb unpleasant feelings in their life. When a person is at his/her weakest point emotionally, he/she tends to overeat. When they go through a low period in their life, tasty and sweet food comes to their rescue in overlooking those horrible experiences. But, all these lead to consumption of lots of carbohydrates, which in turn breeds the feeling of guilt and gaining of weight. This leads to another cycle of emotional depression creating a vicious cycle of emotional hunger.
Tips to Curb Emotional Appetite
Learning to control emotional appetite is the best way to lose weight and an attractive personality. Overeaters and food lovers often do not recognize their problem and associate their craving for food to the need of their body to have more energy.
1. Accept the Fact.
Primarily the person should understand that turning to food for comfort is the not a solution to tackle his/her weakest emotional point. One should be brave enough to deal with emotional feelings; however bitter it may be, without finding refuge in the anesthetic effect of high-energy, sugary, salty and fatty foods. Try to associate urges to eat more with emotional reasons and find alternative ways to deal with it successfully.
2. Observe deep breathing exercises.
Practicing deep breathing exercises will go a long way in relaxing you and in calming you down. Inhale through your nostrils with your mouth closed and inhale with one of your nostril closed.
3. Let Your Frustrations Flow Out.
Keeping bitter feelings with you will aggravate the problem. Channel out your unpleasant feeling and frustrations through some means. Typing or writing a long mail is a very good solution in venting out all the anger and annoyance out. Sharing your bitter experience with a loving friend is a great solution.
4. Involve in Some Physical Work.
Concentrate all your physical and mental energies to any productive physical activities. This will help you to withdraw your thinking from unpleasant experiences. Cleaning the home, reorganizing your room, or going to gym can help a lot.
5. Unwind yourself.
Get immersed in a bubble bath, a romantic novel, or a deep and tight sleep. These activities can help in relaxing yourself and will renew new spirit in you to deal with the situations.
6. Stay Away From Unhealthy Food.
Never keep high energy and unhealthy comfort foods at home. Keeping yourself inaccessible to unhealthy food is a good way in refraining from satisfying your superfluous food cravings.
Learning to stay in charge of your appetite and dealing with your emotional feelings is the best way to curb emotional appetite. Take steps to regain control of your eating habits and get your shape back.
