Stop Emotional Eating

*updated January 2024

Image of a woman aggressively biting an apple showing she is eating to cope with her emotions. Emotional eating can be a challenging cycle. Food serves as a temporary escape from difficult emotions, but it's a poor coping mechanism. Break free from t

Food is a poor coping mechanism

We have all used food to deal with our emotions. If I have a bad day at work, I might come home and eat some ice cream or chocolate. I have eating disorder treatment clients who stop at the drive-thru on the way home from work to get large meals and binge eat them in their car before heading home. They do this in hopes of pushing down some of the pain or anxiety they are feeling. 

I love food as much as anyone, but I know that when I use food to stop the pain, distract myself, or keep myself from getting bored, it never works for long. After eating a tub of ice cream, I still feel lonely. I feel lonely and uncomfortably full, and ashamed. 

Image of a woman eating noodles while on the verge of crying. Emotional eating brings temporary relief but long-term challenges. From weight gain to emotional turmoil, it affects your health and well-being. Break the cycle with Wilson Counseling

Problems with emotional eating

Emotional eating refers to the habit of using food to cope with and regulate emotions, rather than in response to hunger. While eating can provide temporary comfort, there are several problems associated with emotional eating:

  1. Unhealthy Food Choices:

    Emotional eaters often reach for comfort foods that are high in sugar, fat, and calories. These choices may contribute to weight gain and negatively impact overall health.

  2. Weight Gain:

    Consistent emotional eating can lead to overeating and, consequently, weight gain. This can contribute to obesity and associated health issues.

  3. Emotional Distress Continues:

    Emotional eating doesn't address the underlying emotional issues or stressors. Instead, it provides temporary relief, and the emotional distress often persists.

  4. Guilt and Shame about eating:

    After an episode of emotional eating, individuals may experience feelings of guilt and shame. This can further worsen emotional well-being and contribute to a negative cycle of emotional eating.

  5. Interrupted Hunger Signals:

    Emotional eating can disrupt the body's natural hunger and fullness signals. This may lead to difficulty in recognizing genuine hunger and satiety.

  6. Cycle of Emotional Eating:

    Emotional eating can create a cycle where individuals turn to food as a primary coping mechanism, reinforcing the behavior and making it challenging to adopt healthier strategies for managing emotions.

  7. Impact on Mental Health:

    Emotional eating is often associated with various mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Addressing the root causes of emotional distress is crucial for overall mental well-being.

  8. Reduced Nutrient Intake:

    Emotional eaters may focus on comfort foods that lack essential nutrients. This can result in a poor diet and nutritional deficiencies.

  9. Negative Body Image:

    The weight gain associated with emotional eating may contribute to negative body image and lower self-esteem, creating a cycle of emotional distress.

  10. Relationship with Food:

    Emotional eating can strain one's relationship with food, turning it into a source of emotional comfort rather than nourishment.

Image of women bonding over a drink. Experience liberation from emotional eating! Break free from the cycle of stress-induced cravings and find lasting wellness with Wilson Counseling's guidance. Take the first step towards a healthier relationship w

You can experience freedom from emotional eating & meet your needs.

In this video, we explore how to do that. It is a good first step. We hope you find these resources helpful! If you are struggling with loneliness, conflict, or anxiety, speaking to a professional counselor in Houston can help.

Tips to stop emotional eating

Stopping emotional eating can be challenging, but several strategies may help break the cycle and promote healthier habits. Here are some tips to stop emotional eating:

Image of a woman eating mindfully. Discover the power of mindful eating to overcome emotional eating. Embrace each bite with awareness and presence, fostering a healthy relationship with food. Wilson Counseling supports your journey to mindful nouris

  1. Identify Triggers:

    Pay attention to the situations, emotions, or events that trigger emotional eating. Understanding the root causes can help you develop strategies to address them more effectively.

  2. Keep a Food Journal:

    Record what you eat, when you eat, and how you feel at the time. This can help you identify patterns and make connections between your emotions and eating habits.

  3. Find Alternative Coping Mechanisms:

    Develop alternative ways to cope with stress or negative emotions. This could include activities such as exercise, meditation, deep breathing, journaling, or talking to a friend. Find healthy outlets for stress and emotional release.

  4. Mindful Eating:

    Practice mindful eating by paying attention to your food without distractions. Focus on the sensory experience of eating, savoring each bite. This can help you become more aware of hunger and fullness cues.

  5. Plan Balanced Meals:

    Ensure you have balanced and nutritious meals throughout the day. Eating regular, well-balanced meals can help stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce the likelihood of reaching for comfort foods. Eating foods that are high in fiber and protein can help you stay fuller longer.

  6. Create a Support System:

    Share your goals with friends, family, or a support group. Having a supportive network can encourage and help you stay accountable.

  7. Practice Stress Management:

    Incorporate stress-reducing activities into your routine. This can include regular exercise, yoga, mindfulness practices, or engaging in hobbies that bring joy.

  8. Get Enough Sleep:

    Lack of sleep can contribute to emotional eating. Aim for a consistent and sufficient amount of sleep each night to support overall well-being.

  9. Get help from a disordered eating therapist:

    If emotional eating is deeply rooted and difficult to manage on your own, consider seeking help from a mental health professional, such as a therapist or counselor. They can provide guidance and support in addressing underlying emotional issues.

Image of a woman happily eating a chocolate bar. Break free from emotional eating and unlock a world of benefits. Experience improved mood, energy, and self-control. Wilson Counseling offers guidance and support on your journey to healthier habits.

Remember that breaking the habit of emotional eating takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way. Developing a healthy relationship with food and finding effective ways to cope with emotions is a gradual process.

The advice in this blog is not a substitute for professional counseling. 

OTHER THERAPY SERVICES WE OFFER IN HOUSTON, TX

In addition to Eating Disorder Counseling, we have other mental health services that we offer at our Houston, TX counseling office. Our services are available for adults, children, and teens. For individuals we offer Anxiety Treatment, School and College Counseling, Couples Therapy and Marriage Counseling, Perinatal and Postpartum Treatment, and Infertility Counseling. As well as Trauma Therapy, PTSD Treatment, EMDR Therapy, Autism Therapy, and LGBTQ+ Counseling. Our caring therapists also offer Family Therapy, Parenting Counseling, Career Counseling, and LPC Supervision. All of these services are also available through Online Counseling throughout Texas.

Related Blog Content:


Contact us at Wilson Counseling to find out more about our services or to schedule an appointment. You can find out more about eating disorder counseling here. You don't have to go through this alone. We are in this together.