Physical hunger

• It develops slowly over time.
• You desire a variety of food groups.
• You feel the sensation of fullness and take it as a cue to stop eating.
• You have no negative feelings about eating.

Emotional hunger

• It comes ...

While filling up could work in the moment, eating because of negative emotions often leaves people feeling more upset than before.

This cycle typically doesn’t end until a person addresses emotional needs head-on.

There are a variety of studies that support mindfulness meditation as a treatment for binge eating disorder and emotional eating.

Resist isolation in moments of sadness or anxiety. Even a quick phone call to a friend or family member can do wonders for your mood. There are also formal support groups that can help.

Overeaters Anonymous is an organization that addresses overeating from emotional eati...

Keeping a log of what you eat and when you eat it may help you identify triggers that lead to emotional eating. 

Try to include everything you eat — however big or small — and record the emotions you’re feeling at that moment.

Discovering another way to deal with negative emotions is often the first step toward overcoming emotional eating. This could mean writing in a journal, reading a book, or finding a few mi...

Feelings of shame and guilt are associated with emotional eating. It’s important to work on the self-talk you experience after an episode.

Instead of coming down hard, try learning from your setback. Use it as an opportunity to plan for the future.

Resist grabbing a whole bag of chips or other food to snack on. Measuring out portions and choosing small plates to help with portion control are mindful eating habits to work on developing.

Once you’ve finished one helping, give yourself time before going back for a second.

Consider trashing or donating foods in your cupboards that you often reach for in moments of strife. 

Think high-fat, sweet or calorie-laden things, like chips, chocolate, and ice cream. Also, postpone trips to the grocery store when you’r...

Some people find relief in getting regular exercise. A walk or jog around the block or a quickie yoga routine may help in particularly emotional moments.

Make sure you get enough nutrients to fuel your body. If you eat well throughout the day, it may be easier to spot when you’re eating out of boredom or sadness or stress.

Try reaching for healthy snacks, like fresh fruit or vegetables, plain popcorn, and other low-fat, l...