For the first 10 days of our journey to End Emotional Over Eating, we have focused on our spiritual core and the practice of being mindful. But emotional over eating is not just in your head. A significant factor is understanding nutrition: what we eat on a regular basis, not just during emotional episodes. While Adam and Eve bit the apple, most emotional over eaters gravitate to sugars and fats. WHY?
When it comes to emotional eating, how do these foods loaded with sugar and fat affect our emotional state? What actually causes us to crave these types of foods when we are depressed or stressed out?
“When it comes to our diet, sugar and fat seem to help us cope with intense periods of high stress,” says Tessa Prior-Pullins, one of the lead dietitians for BistroMD. “Even though these types of foods seem to calm our nerves, there is no definite scientific reason as to why we turn to these foods for comfort.”
In a new study conducted by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, however, there appears to be a direct link between hormones in our stomach, communicating the need for sugar and fat to our brains.“This study actually reveals that hormones in our stomach could contribute to our cravings for high sugar and fat foods,” says Tessa. “This is especially true during high periods of emotional stress. This could help explain why so many of us have those uncontrollable cravings for certain foods in tough times.”
“This signal sent from our stomachs to our brains could indicate why it is so difficult for us to avoid food cravings in such stressful times,” says Tessa. “Evolution has actually made every aspect of eating more enjoyable for us—from the taste, to the sight, and even the sound. During stressful times, this can actually cause our stomachs to crave more of a certain food, signaling to our brains that it’s time to eat.”
Even though foods high in sugar and fat tend to send us into an emotional eating frenzy, there are steps and measures you can take to avoid succumbing to your food desires. “Contrary to popular belief, there are healthy foods out there that can fill your emotional void for junk food,” says Tessa. “Foods high in antioxidants—like strawberries—have shown to have a significant calming effect on both stress levels and feelings of anxiety.”
To conquer your food cravings, having a healthy mind set is especially important. Also exercising on a daily basis can prevent your mind from desiring unhealthy foods. This can then cause your stomach to crave healthier options.
“Eating a well-balanced diet with a proper combination of protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats can help boost your mood significantly,” says Tessa. “Salmon, for example, contains omega-3 fatty acids, which have shown to improve mood, as well as providing significant boosts in energy levels.”
One day at a time, you can break the vicious cycle involving our emotions and our consumption of sugars and fats.http://www.bistromd.com/healthy-eating/how-sugar-and-fat-feed-emotional-eating
Clintina Health Coach 