Weight-Loss Help: How to Stop Emotional Eating Part 2

The Connection Between Mood and Food

Major life events such as unemployment, health problems and divorce and daily life hassles such as a stressful work commute, bad weather and changes in your normal routine can trigger emotions that lead to overeating. But why do negative emotions lead to overeating?

Some foods have seemingly addictive qualities. For example, when you eat enticing foods, such as chocolate, your body released trace amounts of mood and satisfaction elevating hormones. That "reward" may reinforce a preference for foods that are most closely associated with specific feelings. Related to this is the simple fact that the pleasure of eating offsets negative emotions.

Food can also be a distraction. If you're worried about an upcoming event or rethinking an earlier conflict, eating comfort foods may distract you. But the distraction is only temporary. While you're eating, your thoughts focus on the pleasant taste of your comfort food,. Unfortunately, when you're done overeating, your attention returns to your worries, and you may now bear the additional burden of guilt about overeating. excerpt from MayoClinic.com