It's not just WHAT you eat, it's also WHY you eat

So how did I do at the wedding? Not bad, actually. The food was excellent…prepared by the talented cooks of my newly acquired niece’s family. And there was plenty to be had. Fresh fruit was set out as appetizers before the actual meal, and I used that to my advantage. I ate a good portion of fresh strawberries, grapes, kiwi, pineapple and assorted melons. It was a healthy way to take the edge off my hunger and fill up with low calorie nutrients. When dinner was served, the lines were long. Unfortunately, they ran out of salad just before I got to the end of the table where you pick up your plate and flatware. So what is a conscientious eater to do? Veggies. Look for the veggies. I filled a large portion of my plate with green beans almondine. I took one thin slice of beef, half a cup of pasta and a small whole grain roll. When I finished eating, I walked around with my digital camera taking pictures of the wedding party, the relatives and the guests. In doing so, I missed the call to the desert table, and by the time they cut the cake, I was exhausted and ready to head home and get into my jammies. Eating cake was the last thing on my mind at that point.

Five years ago, I would have piled my plate full, eaten it all and waited anxiously for the cake. I love the tastes of food. I didn’t eat because I was hungry; I ate because I liked the tastes, and in doing so, generally used most eating events, like holidays and weddings, to eat to the point of being painfully stuffed. It took a long time for me to realize that it didn’t get better if I ate more. As a matter of fact, it got less tasty as I continued eating because my taste buds became numb to the flavors.

But tasty food wasn’t the only reason I overate. On a daily basis, I was an emotional eater. Food was the ultimate in almighty comfort. I ate when I was happy. I ate to celebrate. I ate when I was angry. I ate when I was upset. I ate when I was bored. I ate when I was sad. I ate when I was feeling guilty. Solving emotional ills with food is a never-ending, downward spiral. You eat because you’re upset; you gain weight; you feel guilty and ashamed. And how do you treat that feeling? You comfort yourself with more food. You have to fight this habit, this detrimental behavior. At the wedding, I busied myself taking pictures. If my hands are busy, I’m not using them to shuffle more food into my mouth. I fight the battle of emotional eating every day of my life. Some days are better than others, but I’m not giving up the fight. Are you?

This is a problem every emotional eater can attack right now! Find something you like to do with your hands that does not involve food. This will be your "food substitute." When you’re wandering around looking for something to put in your mouth, ask yourself, "Am I really hungry or am I eating because I’m angry, bored, upset, guilty, happy or celebrating?" If you’re not really hungry, then busy yourself with your new "food substitute" and soon, the urge to eat will be forgotten. Be creative. Draw, paint, read, write, sew, redecorate, garden, join a club, learn woodcarving, take a class, finish that elusive college degree…find something you can use as a substitute for food. Then use it! M.E.