Stop Emotional Night Eating

By the end of the day, you’re tired, you’re tense, and you’re stressing about things that happened earlier, things you need to do tomorrow, or this weekend, or next week… These thoughts and feelings can be overwhelming, and many of us turn to food to silence our minds and comfort our hearts.

But emotional night eating can cause uncomfortable bloating and eventual weight gain, and you may end up feeling worse after divulging in junk food. The instant gratification that consuming these foods provides your mind reinforces this behavior, and you somehow forget or no longer care about how horrible you felt after the last time you did this.

When you’re feeling empty, food may physically fill you up, but it is often your mental health that needs tending to. Listed below are some suggestions to help you stop emotional night eating.

Get rid of the junk food in your home

Chips, sweets, and soda are incredibly tempting, especially when your emotions are on overdrive. Removing these items from your home—and keeping them out—will help you fight the urge to satisfy your late-night junk-food craving. Stock up on healthier options, like fruits, veggies, and nuts, so that your nighttime snacks provide your body with nutrients instead of unhealthy fats and sugars.

Eat at the table, not in front of the TV

Watching TV while you snack can distract you from focusing on your body’s needs. You may take bite after bite, and before you know it, you’ve polished off an entire pint of ice cream. If you make it a point to sit down at the table every time you eat—yes, even when you snack—you can be mindful of what you’re eating and notice when your body is satisfied.

Replace the food with a hobby

Rather than turning to food when you’re upset, try practicing yoga, reading a book, drawing, painting, or doing some other type of relaxing activity. If the temptation to eat is still too great while you’re hanging out at home, try going for a walk or to the gym.

Fill your home with non-edible things that make you happy

Many people eat in order to fill an emotional void. Decorating your home with pictures of people and places you love, letters and cards from friends and family members, scented candles that help you feel relaxed, and even posters or collages of words of encouragement can assume the role that junk food plays in your life.

Source: PEERtrainer, Normal Eating Blog