Are you Feeding your Emotions?

Our first memory of feeling secure, loved and cared for came when our mothers first fed us.

Ever since then we had a special relation with food. Food to us isn't merely providing energy to the cells of the body, food is emotionally gratifying too. The heavenly aroma of cakes and cookies make us drift to the cozy, secure memories of our childhood.

Celebrations can never be complete without an exhaustive buffet. Sweets are an integral part of every blast weddings, birthday parties, promotions, achievements et al. A box of exotic chocolates can be one of the best ways to express love or to say sorry. Food stirs in us a gamut of emotions. At some level we don't really eat to live, we live to eat!

We don't just eat everytime we are hungry we also eat when we are angry, stressed, hopeless, guilty, lonely, fearful or bored. We smother our feelings with food. Eating comforts us. It helps take the mind off our feelings. At these times we tend to overeat and eat the wrong kinds of foods leading to ill health, weight gain and this in turn leading to more guilt and stress and the vicious cycle continues.

• Emotional hunger comes on suddenly and strongly, whereas physical hunger is slow and increases gradually. Physical hunger is time related; emotional hunger can strike anytime even just after a full meal.
• Physical hunger is accompanied many times with a rumbling stomach while emotional hunger can be described as a strong craving. Even after eating what the person craves for, in emotional hunger there is no feeling of satisfaction or contentment as against physical hunger.
• Emotional hunger is satisfied only by certain foods. When one is truly hungry and the body requires fuel, we are open to many options.

Awareness is the first and most important step to change. Once we are aware and accept that we need to work on the emotional part of hunger, the journey towards better health begins.

• Keep a food journal. Note down everything you eat through the day. Make a note of time, place, kind of food eaten, portion size, people you were with, ask yourself how did you feel before and after eating and make a note of it. Tune in to yourself to listen to your feelings and be sensitive to feedback from the body. Slowly train yourself to differentiate between physical hunger and emotional hunger.
• Identify your triggers, work on overcoming them. It will be easier to begin with avoiding the trigger situations if possible. Take the help of a friend or a support group. If u realize it is about an underlying deeper issue, consider professional help.
• Be alert when you eat. Don't eat in front of the T.V. Make it a habit to eat at a specific place, this can prevent munching without realizing. Pause before reaching out for the extra helping and ask yourself if your body needs it. Brush your teeth or chew gum once you are done to signal to your mind that your stomach is full.
• Make a healthy diet chart with the help of a nutritionist. Eat only as your chart says till you learn control. Practice moderation. Make allowances in your chart for foods you relish and enjoy eating.
• Stock your kitchen with nutritious foods. Strictly do not stock any junk food, so, even if the craving is uncontrollable you have to choose among the healthy foods.
• Make time for your hobbies, spend time with nature, include yoga or any exercise in your daily regime.

Remember patterns formed over several years will take time and determination to change. Be patient and optimistic. Take one day at a time. Most important believe in yourself at every stage.

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