Overcoming Emotional Eating

“Emotional eating doesn’t heal emotional issues.” Karen Salmansohn

EMOTIONAL EATING IS A COPING SKILL… AN UNHEALTHY COPING SKILL. YOU ARE INTELLIGENT AND CAN LEARN NEW, HEALTHY COPING SKILLS

Here are links to two worksheets you can use to become aware of emotional eating and to stop it:

Emotional Eating Awareness Form
Emotional Eating Form


Here are several healthy coping skills to use rather than using emotional eating to cope:

  • Practice deep breathing and other relaxation skills to slow the body and brain

  • Journal your thoughts and feelings about what you are experiencing in the moment

  • Call a friend and talk about what’s going on and ask for support 

  • Read a book, play a game on your phone or play a musical instrument

  • Use your hands to do a puzzle, knit, write a thank you note

  • Ask yourself how you’re feeling and what you need emotionally

  • Do a web search for healthy coping skills

  • Help someone else in some way

  • Check in with an online support group

  • Write what you’re learning about yourself by not eating when you’re emotional

Make a list of examples of when you engage in emotional eating and a healthier, alternate behavior:

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________


Here are a few websites those and other ideas can be found:

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/diets/emotional-eating.htm

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss/art-20047342

https://www.healthline.com/health/emotional-eating

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/inside-out/201309/emotional-eating-5-reasons-you-can-t-stop