Emotional Eating

I eat ALOT just because it makes me "happy".  How can I break the cycle of eating to feel better?

Find other things that make you feel better. For instance, take a hot shower, go for a walk in the sunshine, read a good book, listen to a favorite song, do a favorite activity.

Also, if you feel blue a lot, find out why and tackle the root causes of that, if you can.

Eating healthier and exercising has kept the munchies away for the most part.  I'm trying to substitute healthier options when I can't seem to talk myself out of binges.  Today I had: honey cinnamon almonds instead of the butterfinger I really wanted, I had V8 berry fusion instead of the pop I really wanted, and I had a fudge bar instead of the ice cream I really wanted. My "binge" was around 300 calories but I should still be around 1800 for the day no problem.  A normal binge for me would fall anywhere from 500-1500 calories.  Good luck!

when you find the answer please let me know :) 

I have to agree with kthompson-I always depended on food to make me feel good when I was sad,depress,bored , etc.But eating healthy now and exercising has helped me realize that there are other things in life that can make me feel happy .I have more energy and that makes me happy,I wake up in the morning not feeling crappy and gross.I see myself slimming down. It took me along time to get motivated and realize that I need to stop eating for fun and be serious about my health. I had a wake up call when I found out how much I weighed and also know diabetes runs in my family.

There is a REAL reason you eat for happiness! Food releases the happy chemical in our brains. When we feel blue- we turn to food to give us this happy feeling!

There are other things that can also give you the happy feeling (I can't think of the technical term right now lol) The two that I find the most useful are:
1-music
2-working out

Another good point made is to find out why your blue in the first place!!! Trying to cover up being sad won't make you happy long-term. Only temporarily! Which means you'll be hitting the cookie jar sooner than later!

Original Post by kankan213:

 (I can't think of the technical term right now lol)

Endorphins >;)

Food should be enjoyable.... or what's the point of eating?  :-)  But it shouldn't be the only thing that makes you happy, of course.   Healthy foods actually make you happier than unhealthy foods.   Sugary, processed, non-nutritious junk is a big factor in mood-swings, depression, poor concentration and behavioural problems.  Wholefoods with lots of vitamins and minerals naturally work to elevate mood, sharpen the senses and enhance well-being. 

So don't see it as a bad thing that eating makes you feel better.  Just be more selective about the foods you choose and the quantities you eat them in.   If you're not happy with life, work out why and tackle the root cause.....