Have you wondered how you tell the difference between true hunger and emotional hunger?

Why do you eat? Is it out of true hunger or maybe habits built over time.  Look at the lists below, this will help you determine your reason for eating.

Physical hunger:

• Tends to come on gradually, and can be postponed
• Can be satisfied with a number of different foods
• Once you full you're likely to stop eating
• Doesn't cause feeling of guilt

Emotional Eating:

• Feels urgent and sudden
• Causes very specific cravings for example bread, chips
• You tend to eat more than you normally would
• Can cause guilt afterwards

Do you find you are eating more out of emotional need, here are some tips that could help:

Explore why you are eating and find a replacement activity. It can also help to write down the emotions that trigger your eating. 

Pause and "take 5" before you reach for food. Too often, we rush through the day without really checking in with ourselves. We're so stressed, over scheduled  and plugged-in that we lose out on time to reflect.

Instead of eating when you get in the door, take a few minutes to transition from one part of your day to another. 

Getting Help

Even when we understand what's going on, many of us still need help breaking the cycle of emotional eating. It's not easy — especially when emotional eating has already led to weight and self-esteem issues. So don't go it alone when you don't have to.

www.design4life.co.za