My dad's old time comfort food is a Whataburger Jr. I yearn for a piece of chocolate and a Starbucks latte when I'm having it rough. Others may wish for mom's apple pie or her meatloaf...
"Comfort food" got its name for a reason.
There are certain emotions that we tie with certain foods. They "comfort" us. It could be a memory. It could be the way that it affects your central nervous system (i.e. chocolate increasing seratonin levels). It could just be that you're missing someone when you're having a rough day, and the thought of a certain meal reminds you of them.
We need to begin to recognize our triggers. This doesn't mean that we abandon our comfort food. However, we need to begin to see the role that our emotions play into what we're putting into our bodies. When we recognize that we want that cheeseburger, think about what we really want. Is it time with our dad who passed away years ago? Is it the feeling of sadness that makes us want that double chocolate cake, or is it something else?
Until we really begin to associate what we do with why we do it, we really don't understand what's underneath that behavior. Emotional eating is all about eating to satisfy certain emotional cravings that we have....emotional cravings that are normal.
I challenge you to start to take an introspective look at the comfort foods that you crave, and when you crave them. I challenge you to use your food journal to begin to document these, paying close attention to your mood and your heart.
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