Emotional Eating
Definition
Emotional eating is the practice of consuming food in response to feelings rather than hunger. It often involves eating for comfort, stress relief, or as a way to cope with emotions.
Scientific / Technical Definition
Emotional eating refers to the consumption of high-calorie or comfort foods in response to emotional states such as stress, sadness, boredom, or anxiety. This behavior may be triggered by psychological factors and is often linked to negative emotions and behaviors associated with eating disorders.
Benefits
- Short-term relief from negative emotions.
- Temporary comfort and distraction from stressful situations.
Examples
- Eating ice cream when feeling sad.
- Snacking on chips during stressful work situations.
- Indulging in chocolate after a bad day.
Additional Information
- Side effects: Emotional eating can lead to weight gain, guilt, and a cyclic pattern of unhealthy eating. It may also contribute to the development of eating disorders such as binge eating disorder.
References
Last updated: 10/18/2024