Intuitive vs. Emotional Eating

Do you feel that you don’t really pay attention to the foods you eat? Do you find that you shove foods down without second thought as to what you are eating or why you are eating it? This behavior is what leads to overeating, binge eating and emotional eating.

To truly eat to nourish your body, experts such as Geneen Roth recommend a concept known as intuitive eating. She recommends these principles:

1. Eat when you are hungry.
2. Eat sitting down in a calm environment. This does not include the car.
3. Eat without distractions. Distractions include radio, television, newspapers, books, intense or anxiety-producing conversations or music.
4. Eat what your body wants.
5. Eat until you are satisfied. 
6. Eat (with the intention of being) in full view of others.
7. Eat with enjoyment, gusto, and pleasure.

―Geneen Roth; Women, Food, and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything

Keep in mind that a large part of intuitive eating is understanding when you are physically hungry and when you are simply emotionally hungry.

If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your life, are overcome with stress, feeling conflicted, or are experiencing any other negative emotions, there’s a good chance you’re just eating to fill an emotional void.

The worst part about this is that when you let your negative emotions or emotional emptiness dictate eating habits, you end up opting for junk foods. These junk foods are filled with nothing but chemicals, toxins and preservatives and may wreak more havoc on your body and mind.

How do you know if you’re emotionally hungry? Here is my trick. 

After eating, wait 15 minutes. If you are still hungry, make a cup of tea with some almond milk and stevia, or make a large glass of water with stevia and the juice of ½ a lemon.

 If you are still hungry, do breathing for three minutes and ask yourself:

Did I eat enough protein?

 Did I eat enough fat?

 Am I experiencing negative emotions that are tricking me into thinking I’m hungry?

If you are still hungry and you aren’t feeling any negative emotions, practice the principles of intuitive eating. Listen to what your body is telling you it needs, and provide it.