Emotional eating means your emotions - not your body - dictate when
and/or how much you eat.

We are all emotional eaters to some extent. It's nearly impossible not to be, in a food orientated society, where eating is a part of celebrations and rituals. Eating is fundamental aspect of family life and interaction. When is emotional eating a problem? Simply, when it interferes with your health and happiness.

Emotional overeaters have a problem with weight management because food is closely tied to their ability to cope with their emotions. Thus, emotional overeaters tend to eat for reasons other than physical hunger, which of course leads to excess calorie intake.

Are you an emotional eater?

Do you eat:
- Without realising you're doing it?
- Alone or at odd locations, such as parked in your car outside your house?
- After an unpleasant experience, such as an argument?
- If you aren't feeling hungry?
- Because you feel there's nothing else to do?
- In response to outside cues like seeing food advertised on television?
- To make you feel better when you're down
- To be less focused on problems when you're worried about something?
Do you crave specific foods when you're upset, such as always desiring
chocolate when you're feeling depressed?
Do you often feel guilty or ashamed after eating?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are an emotional eater. Maybe it’s time to explore those emotional triggers and change your relationship with food.