[wyrillco]

So I know we all probably do this to some extent.<br><br>
I apparently want to snack when I am anxious or nervous. I have realized this a lot lately, as we've had some stuff going on on in our lives causing some nerves.<br><br>
And the urge to snack on cheetos, m&ms etc is almost overwhelming. I'm actually eating the big bowl of sliced bell peppers and FF ranch I brought in, but if I had a dollar, I'd probably be eating something worse.<br><br>
I don't know how to deal with this stuff.

 

[runningINnyc]

I am and have always been an emotional eater. What's made the biggest difference for me is to not have a single thing on-hand that I will gorge on and later feel bad about.

 

[merigayle]

I agree. This is the only way to deal with those unbearable cravings. If it is not there, you cannot eat it. Also, trying to manage the stress better will help as well. If you are feeling very stressed out, what else can you do besides eat? take a 5-10 min walk, do some meditation, drink a large glass of water, have some herbal tea, take a bath.

 

[runningINnyc]

Ditto Meri - I also found that I'm more likely to emotionally eat if I'm not busy doing something else. So I start a massive cleaning kick or get out of the apartment and on my bike/out for a run/window shopping -- anything to keep myself occupied.

 

[muzicgrl]

Exactly...thats what I have to do. 99% of the stuff in my fridge cannot be eaten without prep so I cant snack on it.

 

[sistergoldenhair]

I agree with Maria, Meri, and Muzic. If I am anxious, or bored, or lonely, or stressed, my first impulse is to eat. But I know that and can decide to do something else, even if it is "substitute eating" like chewing gum or sipping tea. Luckily it would take a LOT to get me to cross the threshold of going out and buying a bag of chips or candy or carton of ice cream. I just never do. But if I did cross that threshold ... well I've learned the "emotional release" (which really isn't) is nowhere near worth how bad it feels (physically and emotionally) after you finish eating. Not that I am perfect and I think this something I will always need to be conscious about, but it is no longer an ongoing presence in my life. Thank god.<br><br>
Geneen Roth has written some really good books on this topic.

 

[toe jam on crusty feet]

sometimes, too, for me it is giving in, but in a different way. For example: If I emotionally eat, I will bake something like cookies and gorge on the dough. So, instead, I might go to the store and buy ONE sugar cookie instead. If I bake them, I eat who knows how many calories, if I buy one, I satisfy the craving and take in a finite amount of calories!

 

[LookiLoo]

I agree with others in that finding something else, another outlet, is a huge help. Even if it's buying a trashy supermarket magazine or watching a cheesy movie that you actually find entertaining - for me it's sometimes hard to substitute by doing something healthy for myself - I try to substitute with something that's not quite as <i>unhealthy</i> as a food binge...if that makes any sense.

 

[QuixoticNotions]

That's what I do. If I want it bad enough that I'll go to the store to get it, then I really want it.<br>
This worked even better when I was carless. If I was willing to walk to the store or restaurant and home, I deserved what I wanted.<br>
And if I buy it as I want it, not only will I eat it less, but I'll eat less at any given time because I'll just buy the smallest container possible.

 

[wyrillco]

Thanks guys. It's kind of nice to know at least I'm not alone.

 

[fatmantrying]

I've had to take total control of the grocery shopping and cooking. It really works well.<br><br>
My wife is a saint, but given the opportunity she'll buy something as harmless as a bag of pretzels. Which are only harmless if you don't eat the whole damn bag in one sitting....