Why Do I Eat When I'm Not Hungry?

Why is it we eat when we are not hungry? Why do YOU eat when you are not hungry? Here are several reasons:

I'M BORED. You're sitting there, at your desk at work, or on the sofa at home and you suddenly think, "Hmmmmm, I'd like some food, I NEED some crisps, chocolate, fries". You go and get them, you eat them, and then you need, "Oh, just a bit more." Are you really hungry or are you just bored? Sometimes we eat food as a way to curb our boredom. Think about whether or not you're hungry - is your stomach growling? If not find something to do - knit, sew, read a book, clean - anything to take your mind off food!

IT'S TASTY. Yes, it is! But be careful how much you eat. If you're not hungry but you really fancy something tasty or someone has offered you something tasty, and you've been very, very good with your diet have a SMALL piece (if you have the willpower to resist more!). Eating more will not add to the taste sensation - it's still the same taste as the first bite you had! Treat yourself occassionally...but in small amounts!

THERE'S NO-ONE ELSE AROUND. How many times have you done this? You're sitting there with the family or a loved one near you and you're thinking about the tasty piece of cake in the fridge, or the Haagen-Daas in the freezer. You sort of hope that the people around you will go soon so you can indulge because, in a weird way, when there's no-one else around you're not really putting calories in your mouth! The fact is, if you wait for other people to go away and leave you alone in the kitchen you are likely to eat a LOT more than you would if they were around. Have some of that cake or icecream but have a small portion and do it when there are people around you. That way you have had something tasty but you haven't binged. If they ask you why you're eating it when you're on a diet say, "I'm allowed a treat a day," or "I've already counted it into my calories for today." We need to get over the GUILT of eating when other people are around - even in our own homes

IT'S STRESS EATING. This is a tricky one and one that a lot of people can relate to. Like smokers smoking after a stressful event or drinkers have a shot of something alcoholic many people with a weight problem tend to turn to food for solace when the going gets stressful. The best way to stop stress eating is to confront the stress. With the stress gone so will the eating. If you can't ease the stress actively try doing a relaxation tape, taking an aromatherapy oil bath or asking your partner to give you a shoulder massage.

IT'S COMFORT EATING. This problem is very similar to Stress Eating. Things go wrong, disappointing news, a break-up, a bereavement - it's easy to reach for food to make us feel temporarily better. It's so easy to do but so important to avoid. If you can seek comfort from friends and family, talk about the issue that is making you unhappy, try to find ways around it, write a list of things that make you smile or things you are proud of. If you feel angry or disappointed with someone write them a letter - put all your feelings down into it - then throw it away. Treat yourself with massages, home facials, a new nail polish or bubble bath. Look after yourself. Overeating won't help in the longrun.

BECAUSE MY FRIENDS/PARTNER CAN EAT LOTS. This is a really unfair one. How come all those skinny friends of yours can go to a fastfood joint five days a week and not put on a single pound? How come your partner can have portions double the size of yours and still look slim? It stinks that life is unfair like that but it IS the way life is. You have to figure out which you want more - to eat lots or to lose weight? Is it REALLY so important to be able to eat fast food 5 times a week, or eat HUGE portions? It's not a race, you don't have to 'keep up' with anyone. Go at your own speed, follow your own plan and you WILL lose weight.

BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU'RE THIRSTY. It sounds very strange but often you may be reaching for a cookie when what you actually want is a drink! Before you snack try having a glass of nice, cold water - it may be what you were after the whole time!

REVENGE. Been there - done it! Ever had a disapproving partner or parent who would monitor everything you ate and constantly comment? Ever get really annoyed? Ever eat 'bad' food secretly just to get back at them?! There are more of us out there than you think! It is VERY irritating to have everything you put in your mouth commented on by someone else (particularly someone you care about) but who are you really hurting by eating in secret? Not them. They're not the one with the weight problem. The only person you are hurting by eating in secret is you. Instead TELL the commenting person to stop - explain to them that their remarks are not appreciated and that if you feel like having a treat you'll have a treat. Keep focussed on your weightloss and don't let others put you off.

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