18th September 2023,Mumbai: Emotional eating and its consequences
On a recent train journey, I couldn’t help but overhear a conversation between two women passionately discussing their mutual obsession with food. They delved into emotional triggers that often led them down the chocolate and pizza path. Both expressed feelings of guilt over their perceived lack of willpower and their frequent late-night raids on the fridge in search of comforting treats. Their dialogue was far removed from the concept of food as a means to nourish the body; instead, it was laden with emotion.
Exploring a healthy relationship with food
This encounter prompted me to reflect on what constitutes a healthy relationship with food, how our eating behaviors develop, and how one can cultivate such a relationship. In this article, we’ll explore the elements of a “healthy” food relationship.
What Defines a Healthy Relationship with Food?
Listening to your body
One of the key indicators of a healthy food relationship is being attuned to your body’s cues. This means recognizing when you’re genuinely hungry, when you’re comfortably satiated, and when you’re not hungry at all.
Balanced and varied eating
A healthy relationship with food involves consuming appropriate quantities of a variety of foods from all food groups at regular intervals. This approach ensures that your nutritional and overall well-being needs are met.
Comfort in social and solitary eating
Being comfortable with both dining with others and enjoying a meal alone is another facet of a healthy food relationship.
Joyful consumption without guilt
Perhaps the most crucial aspect of a healthy relationship with food is the ability to savor meals without feelings of guilt or obsession. If you find yourself lacking in these aspects, it might be time to work on improving your relationship with food.
Why Does a Healthy Food Relationship Matter?
The perils of emotional eating
A multitude of “no” responses to the aforementioned criteria may indicate that you’re using food as a coping mechanism for negative emotions. While it may offer momentary relief, this behavior stimulates the brain’s reward center, reinforcing the cycle of eating in response to negative feelings.
Link between eating habits and mental health
Research reveals that emotional eating and uncontrolled eating are often associated with eating disorders and a poorer diet quality, marked by lower vegetable consumption and higher intake of nutrient-poor foods. Conversely, studies indicate that maintaining healthy dietary patterns can reduce the risk of disordered eating and food addiction.
The role of vegetables and fruit
Notably, higher intakes of vegetables and fruits have been linked to lower perceived stress, tension, worry, and reduced lack of joy. This underscores the importance of nurturing a positive relationship with food.
Developing a Healthy Food Relationship
Keeping a ‘food mood’ diary
One effective method for improving your relationship with food is to maintain a ‘food mood’ diary. This diary helps you track when, where, with whom, and why you eat and drink. It sheds light on your emotional state and the factors influencing your eating habits.
Analyzing your food mood diary
Reflecting on the entries in your food mood diary, especially the “why” behind your eating patterns, can provide valuable insights. If you discover emotional triggers, create a distraction list featuring alternative activities to turn to when stress, low mood, or other emotions strike.
Practicing mindful eating
Mindful eating involves slowing down and becoming acutely aware of your body and mind’s responses during meals. This practice encourages you to differentiate between true physical hunger and other forms of hunger, such as emotional or sensory triggers.
Understanding nutrient needs
Understanding why your body requires specific vitamins and minerals, and where to find them in foods, can help dispel feelings of guilt associated with eating. Abandoning the labeling of foods as “good” or “bad” is crucial in this process.
Finding joy in food
Focusing on the pleasure of eating and the satisfaction derived from preparing and sharing meals can reduce mindless eating. Embracing the sensory, emotional, and cultural aspects of food can foster a more positive relationship with eating.
Seeking Help for Food-Related Concerns
A healthy relationship with food also entails the absence of disordered eating habits, including binge eating, bulimia, and anorexia. If you or someone you know exhibits signs of disordered eating, such as restrictive practices, bingeing, or excessive reliance on dieting, seeking help from a healthcare professional is essential.
Fostering a healthy relationship with food involves listening to your body, consuming a balanced diet, finding joy in eating, and recognizing and managing emotional triggers. By taking proactive steps to improve your relationship with food, you can pave the way to a happier and healthier life.
-by Kashvi Gala