题目内容
You probably already know that you can lose weight by limiting those foods that add pounds as well as to cut back on portion sizes. But if you’re an emotional eater, you’ll still turn to food if you don’t deal with your feelings.
What is Emotional Eating?
Basically, emotional eating is eating for reasons other than hunger. In other words, rather than reaching for food because your body tells you it needs food, you are addicted because your emotions need to be satisfied. Instead of the gradual urge you get when you’re physically hungry, emotional eating strikes you suddenly. While you can usually wait to eat because you’re physically hungry, you feel an immediacy to fill an emotional emptiness. Instead of filling the empty space with healthy choices, emotional eaters use food for comfort. For women, it’s usually ice cream or chocolate, while men reach for steak and French fries.
Emotional Eating Leaves You Feeling Guilty
Besides blow up your stomach, emotional eating does harm to your mind. When you eat for physical reasons you don’t feel guilty. But when you grab for food when you’re not even hungry, just because you’re feeding your emotions, you feel guilty afterward.
Recognizing the “Red Lights” with “HALT”
A good rule of thumb when you’re lured(诱惑)into emotional eating is to remember to HALT. Besides being reminded to halt before you do any damage, remember what HALT represents.
“H” is for hungry---Sometimes you can feel physical hunger when you’re on the point of an emotional eating. But rather than reaching for those comfort foods loaded with fats, and sugar, make better choices such as proteins, fruits and vegetables.
“A” is for anxious---It’s easy to fall into emotional eating when you’re worried and tense. Rather than turning to food, do whatever works to calm your nerves. Call a friend, pray, or keep a record of your feelings. Just don’t reach into the fridge.
“L” is for lonely---Too often emotional eaters use food for companionship. Instead of comforting yourself with food, join a group of caring people who understand your problem. Twelve-step groups such as Overeaters Anonymous are excellent for connecting with others who struggle with your the same food addictions as you do. Not only will you receive tools for recovery, but you’ll also realize you’re not alone.
“T” is for tired---When exhausted, either physically or emotionally, emotional eaters turn to food. Instead, get some rest or eat something good for you.
Breaking the Addiction
Often emotional eaters aren’t even aware that they’re overeating because something is troubling them. What’s more, when they realize they’re eating because their emotions are running wild, sometimes they don’t even know why they’re upset. Whenever you feel the temptation to eat out of your emotions, replace it with constructive activities such as calling a friend, walking your dog, gardening or exercising...
Most importantly, find out the reason(s) why you overeat. It’s not so much what you eat, but what’s eating you. Unless you get to the root of why you overeat you won’t conquer your food addiction.
Emotional Eating
Definition and symptoms | Eating for reasons other than hunger Reaching for food not because of (71)_______ needs, but because of addiction or emotional needs Getting (72)______ suddenly instead of the gradual urge from hunger Turning to unhealthy food (73)_______ ice cream and chocolate, or steak and French fries |
Bad (74)_______ | ★ Blowing up your stomachs and adding pounds ★ Give you a (75)________ of guilt |
Possible causes | Being worried and tense Feeling (76)__________ Being exhausted |
Suggestions | (77)_________ healthy foods such as protein, fruits and vegetables, if you can't help it. Turn to constructive activities, for example, calling a friend, praying, (78)_______ down your feelings and so on. Join groups of caring people or connect yourself with people who (79)_______ this problem with you. Get more rest. (80)_______ all, find your particular problem in your case so you can finally conquer emotional eating. |
71. physical/bodily 72. struck 73. like 74. effects /impacts /influences
75. feeling/sense 76. lonely/loneliness 77. Choose//Eat/Have
78. writing/taking/noting/putting 79. share 80. Above