Emotional eater

quirky75

I planned to start diet and exercise this week to get healthier and lose at least 30 pounds (though I'll take anything). My problem is in the past I've struggled a lot with depression and anxiety and I've become quite an emotional eater. If I get really stressed out, I crave sugar really bad or I just can't stop eating - I don't feel full until I'm stuffed.

So the diet seemed very doable my first day yesterday, but then I've been really stressed lately with finding a job and had a complete meltdown this morning about it. All day I've been craving sugar and at one point I did give in and get an orange soda, but I also have been snacking and munching on way too much. My sugar cravings suck too, I was sitting here almost drooling earlier fighting the urge to go to 7-11.

What are your go-to healthy snacks on your not-so-great days?
Any tips or tricks that work for you to fight the urge to eat something unhealthy or just eat too much?

Thanks! Also- hi, I'm new

CrazyMary77

Hi! I'm kinda new too

And I'm definitely an emotional eater. I bought this book Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat by Michelle May, and it has practically saved my life. I used to buy large bags of Twizzlers or M&Ms and just sit in my room and eat until I felt sick. Any kind of stress, anxiety, anger, whatever, and I'd want a Snickers. But that book really helped me! I haven't binged on junk food for a long while now.

But I still crave, and I've fallen in love with Kashi products. They have yummy granola bars when I want something sweet (they make one with dark chocolate that's good IMO), or if I want something salty, the crackers are delicious. My drawer at work always has a supply! Otherwise I'll run downstairs to the store and buy some candy lol.

Have you tried drinking Crystal Lite? Sometimes if you just drink something sweet, it'll help. Or chew gum?

Good luck!!

rknox88

When I was trying to lose weight I found foods that really worked for me. If I was craving a comforty-food I would plan to have an omelet (2 egg white 1 egg) with spinach, a little cheese, peppers, onions, and sometimes some ham (adding cajun seasoning is amazing) for salt craving I would grab a handful of fat free pretzels and go DO something-not just sit back down because I would think about how I wanted more pretzels.  For sweet cravings I always had a tub of fat free cool whip in the freezer. It always hit the spot.  Those are just my tricks though-hope it helped.

MyWedding13

You should read books by Geenen Roth. She writes a lot about emotional eating and how to get out of that cycle. Also, don't think of yourself as on a "diet"...think that you are making healthy lifestyle changes. I am an emotional eater as well and what I try to do is figure out what I really want, and have a small portion of it. I have small ramekins that I can put crackers or ice cream, etc in and that is my portion. That has worked for me thus far. Good luck!

LittleKatie13

Is there something else that's calming to you?  I went through a really hard, depressing, stressful time in college and I started running and painting.  There is something about painting that really helped me calm down and decompress.  I'm a horrible painter-seriously, my 2 year old nephew can do better, but it sort of "centered" me in a weird way.  When I could run, there's something very relaxing about a long run, hearing only your feet on the pavement.  My suggestion is that if you find something that relaxes you that isn't food, you'll feel better about the situation and be proud of yourself for not eating.  Find something that allows you to reflect on the situation on not just cover it up.  In summary, when you stop eating your feelings you'll be happier and thinner.  I know I was...  Good luck!

msange727

welcome - you've got some good advice already (that i really can't add to!), so i just figured i'd tell you that i love your cake topper :]

quirky75

Thanks everyone for the advice! It was exactly what I was looking for. I'm going to try some healthier snacks and making sure to portion them out as well as finding something to do that will keep my focus off wanting to snack. They're great ideas!