5 Reasons You Are Overeating and What To Do About It
Overeating can lead to obesity and other health issues. Anytime that you continue to eat after you are full is considered overeating. We all tend to overeat on holidays or special occasions. However, if you find that you are binging too often or all the time, you could be putting your health at risk. Let’s look at five reasons you overeat and what you can do about it.
1. Emotional Eating
You’re likely to overeat when you’re sad or in a bad mood. If you are eating because you’re upset, you eat for the feeling. When that happens, you tend to overeat. Instead of turning to food for comfort, you can learn how to handle negative emotions in a healthy way. Let’s face it, the ice cream made you feel better at the time, but you’re still upset and now feeling guilty for the pint of ice cream you ate.
Instead, try writing in a journal when you want to reach for food because you are not feeling very good. Writing is therapeutic and helps us get our emotions on paper and out of the thinking mind. If writing is not your style, you could try reading or some form of artwork to help ease your feelings.
2. Consuming Processed Foods
Processed foods add corn syrup and sugars but fewer nutrients and protein. When you eat loads of sugar, it can lead to overeating. Save those fast-food items as a special treat once a month.
If you have a problem with doughnuts, don’t buy them. It can be difficult not to want to eat more of something tasty if it is in front of you. The best way to avoid this is to limit processed food and sodas and switch to healthier alternatives like water and veggies.
3. Eating Out of Boredom
When you are bored, it is easy to grab a snack. After all, it gives you something to do. Instead of overeating when you get bored, make a list of fun stuff you can do instead. For example, you could:
- Take a walk
- Listen to music
- Watch a favorite show or movie
- Read a book
- Exercise or yoga
- Work on a project
By finding activities to do when you are bored, you will stop looking to snacks as something to do and, therefore, won’t overeat when you get bored.
4. Stress Eating
Stress is an important human response and can keep you alive in certain situations. However, if you constantly feel stressed, your body could release excess cortisol, a stress hormone. In the long run, cortisol can slow eating habits, but if you are running in high gear often, then it may actually lead you to overeat.
If you are a stress eater, there are some ways to stop eating when you’re stressed. You can learn some safer stress-relieving methods. Meditation can be a healthy way to cope with stress. Deep-breathing exercises can also help you lower your stress levels.
5. Craving Highly Palatable Foods
Have you ever craved certain foods and felt that you must eat them to feel better? Chances are the foods you craved were salty, sweet, or fatty. It makes sense that you are likely to crave food that tastes good. There’s science behind these types of cravings, though. Highly palatable foods can stimulate dopamine in the brain as drugs do for people with an addiction.
The best way to avoid these cravings is to avoid foods high in sugar, salt, and fat. In addition, eating vegetables or other nutrient-dense foods throughout the day makes you less likely to have cravings.
A Life Coach Can Help You Stop Overeating
As you can see, overeating is a real issue. Coaching is an excellent way to help you stop overeating. At UnPause Your Life, we can help you develop a plan to stop overeating and stay healthy. Reach out today if you have an issue with overeating. One of our life coaches can help you understand why you are and help you develop better eating habits.
