Stress in relationships, work pressure and financial problems, all affect our emotions. Due to which we get sad and depressed.
What do you do when you are sad?
Have you ever noticed that when you are sad or upset you turn to food? In such a situation we eat even though we are not hungry. Food becomes something for us, which provides some relief from the pain. This may provide some temporary relief, but emotional eating poses a serious threat to our health.
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, in 2016, 39% of adults over the age of 18 worldwide were found to be obese. Emotional eating has emerged as the main reason behind this growing problem. Statistically, 40% to 60% of people who are obese engage in emotional eating.
In such a situation today In work news We will know that-
- What is emotional eating?
- What are the side effects?
- How to avoid or get rid of it?
What is emotional eating?
When you are troubled by negative emotions, food cravings occur. In this condition there is a desire to eat without cravings. When we eat to get rid of stress, it is called emotional eating.
In this condition, there is a desire to eat fast food with heavy calories and carbohydrates, which is harmful to our health.
How to recognize emotional eating?
When you feel like eating without being hungry, it could be a sign of emotional eating. People usually eat more when they feel stressed, sad or lonely.
A person suffering from emotional eating overeats without hunger. But later he regrets and feels bad. Let's graphically understand the symptoms of emotional eating.
What are the side effects of emotional eating?
According to a study published on Science Direct in 2021, people who do not control immediate gratification are 18% more likely to engage in emotional eating. Emotional eating can cause changes in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) of our brain.
The lateral hypothalamus is the part of the brain that controls hunger, thirst, sleep, and hormones. This change causes us to gravitate more towards foods high in sugar and fat. It can also affect our brain's reward system.
Weight gain problem We consume more calories during emotional eating. This can lead to weight gain and continued weight gain can lead to obesity.
Risk of diabetes Consuming too much sugar, fat and unhealthy foods affects the body's insulin levels, thereby increasing the risk of diabetes.
Damage to mental health Emotional eating gives a person peace of mind for some time, but in the long run it can lead to depression and anxiety problems.
Eating disorder The habit of emotional eating can become more severe over time. A person may suffer from bulimia. In this, a person vomits after eating too much food to avoid its side effects. This can be dangerous for mental and physical health.
Digestive problemsOvereating puts pressure on the digestive system, which can lead to gas, indigestion, constipation and other digestive problems.
Lack of energy and fatigue Due to poor diet, the body does not get the necessary nutrients. Which can cause fatigue, weakness and lethargy.
Damage to self-respect Emotional eating can lower a person's self-respect and cause problems in social relationships. A person may feel insecure about themselves and ashamed of their weight or diet.
Risk of serious diseases Eating too much fat and sugary foods due to emotional eating can lead to problems like heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Ways to get rid of emotional eating: There are various methods you can adopt to avoid emotional eating. This is not a disease, but a habit. In such a situation, you can correct your habits before they turn into diseases.
Deal with stress – Negative emotions can be reduced through exercise, yoga and meditation. This can help you overcome emotional eating.
Adopt mindful eating – Chew food slowly. See if you are hungry or not and taste each bite. This will prevent you from overeating.
Choose healthy food – Limit the number of fried and fatty foods at home. Instead, keep fresh fruits and vegetables in the fridge, so you can grab a healthy snack whenever you're hungry.
Take help from experts – If you feel that you cannot do it alone, consult your doctor. You can also seek help from a mental health specialist and a dietitian.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
