As an ex-nutritional science major, I have gotten a little taste of what consists of a "healthy" diet, and what is "good for you." But sometimes/all the time I find myself stuffing my face when I am under a lot of pressure. Especially when I feel anxiety, fear, sadness, and happiness too. Eating is the go-to for all emotions, having copious amounts of sweets, pizza, french fries, and all that good stuff. Emotional eating is when you cope with your feelings through consuming food. "Filling your stomach rather than fulfilling your emotional needs." And we all know that huge chart that tells you what you're craving, what your body is lacking, and what foods you should eat instead of the ones you really want. But do we ever follow them? Rarely. It is all psychological, finding excuses to continue enjoying the whole chocolate cake.
Decisions, decisions...
Whenever I have major assignments due or I just feel super overwhelmed, my mind goes straight to food. I reason with myself. After studying for hours, it's 2 am and Whataburger is serving breakfast. Continue cramming for this practical or go get an HBCB?
I deserve it.
This is my go-to excuse. I celebrate the smallest things, like getting an A on a quiz, or even working a nine-hour shift. Then, I end up rewarding myself around midnight with a slice of pie.
Yes.
The greatest stage of them all. Treating myself to what I want. Chocolate raises dopamine levels! Usually, foods that release endorphins (like serotonin and dopamine) are short-lived, which gives that "sugar high." Sometimes, life gets hard and things don't go my way. I respond to these obstacles with eating, cause I can control what I eat. However, I might not have control over how much, which leads to...
Just one more bite.
Dietitians suggest plating smaller amounts of food because it restricts overeating. So it's Thanksgiving, and I have to try everything on this glorious day. Serving myself the turkey, ham, all the sides, and the pies! And I most likely am going to eat everything on the plate, even when full. It's because the food is still in front of me, and I just can't help myself. It is just too tasty.
What? No, I didn't.
Denial and bargaining. This is the part where I stop after I've just eaten the whole box of thin mints right before bed. The neurotransmitters in my brain send chemical signals that stop the production of endorphins from the food because I stopped consuming. That's when I no longer feel happy, realized what I've done, and refuse to believe it was that bad cause thin mints are small.
No!
Retaliating through anger and/or depression. This is the self-pity phase where I'm either completely disgusted with myself or I just get sad.
Acceptance.
The final stage. I mean, it already happened, so there's no use in worrying now. It would be more detrimental if I continue stressing about how much I ate, causing me to keep binging. Tomorrow's a new day.
