25/10/2023
Weโve all been there & that includes me too!
Completely smashing it with our diet plan, but all of a sudden a stressful event or situation means that we end up falling off the wagon and reaching for the comfort food ๐คฆ๐ปโโ๏ธ
During stressful periods, or times when weโre stuck at home, it can be incredibly tempting to start comfort eating. Itโs only natural that a lot of us may be turning to our favourite snacks for a little pick me up in the moment!
Here are some tips to help prevent emotional eating when times are a little tough... ๐๐ป
๐ Keep a Food & Mood Diary
If youโre finding yourself stressed or emotional eat on a regular basis, it can be a good idea to keep a food and mood diary. By writing down what youโre eating, it will help you identify any patterns between your mood and the food you eat. Write down what you eat, when you eat it, and how you were feeling when you ate it. From there, youโll be able to work out any triggers that cause you to stress eat.
๐ Take 5 Minutes
Before you head to the food cupboard, try and delay it by a few minutes and just check in with yourself. Ask yourself whether or not youโre physically hungry (Have you eaten recently? Is your stomach rumbling?) and how youโre feeling at that moment. Try having a glass of water to ensure you are not just dehydrated - why not add some 1:1 water flavouring?
๐ Beat the Boredom
Boredom eating is a thing and has been identified as a common issue behind overeating. Especially during times when weโre stuck at home, reaching for the snacks can often be done out of boredom, or even procrastination. So find something to do to change your mindset for a few minutes - whether you clean your house, go for a short walk or give your friend a call, doing something to keep you occupied can be another simple way to stop eating unnecessarily.
๐ Get Rid of Temptation
If you have cupboards stocked with treats, itโs most definitely time for a clear out. If you have a weakness when it comes to a particular food, such as chocolate or crisps, avoid buying them when you do your weekly shop and make a point of getting rid of any stash you might have.
Dawn ๐ xx