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Habit Change

How to identify emotional eating

Tamara Willner
Written by

Tamara Willner

Medically reviewed by

Fiona Moncrieff

7 min read
Last updated March 2024
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Since the coronavirus outbreak, understandably our routines and lives have been turned upside down. Many of us will be experiencing higher levels of stress and anxiety compared to usual, which can lead to an increase in emotional eating.

Being aware of the reasons why we might be experiencing strong cravings with certain emotions is necessary to help us overcome emotional eating. The most important thing to understand if you’re an emotional eater is that it’s not down to a lack of willpower or certain weaknesses. In reality, emotional eating is an adaptive response from the brain and body and taking away any feelings of guilt associated with these behaviours is essential.

This guide will discuss strategies to help you identify emotional eating and the situations or emotions that might trigger this. Identifying why and when emotional eating might happen for you is the first step to overcoming and preventing this.

Keep in mind that there’s a difference between emotional eating and binge eating disorder (BED), which is a severe mental illness. Overeating every now and again is perfectly normal, however, if you’re experiencing binge-eating episodes at least once a week for three months, it’s important to seek help from a qualified healthcare professional.

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Know your triggers

The first step to identifying emotional eating is to learn what situations or events trigger negative feelings for you and may tempt you to turn to food for comfort.

Keeping a ‘food and mood journal‘ for a week can be a great way to help you identify patterns or triggers. Here’s an example of what this might look like:

Firstly, record all the food and drinks that you have throughout the day, including the time you had them and the portion size. At the same time, record the following information in your journal:

  • How were you feeling before, during, and after eating or drinking each meal/snack?
  • What number were you on the hunger scale before, during, and after eating? (more on what the hunger scale is below!)
  • Where were you when you ate?
  • Were there any events which led to how you were feeling before or during eating?
  • Who were you with when you had that meal or snack?
  • What were you doing while eating (e.g. watching TV, at work, with friends)
  • How did you feel 1 – 2 hours after eating?

Although this may seem time-consuming at the start, doing this activity for a week will provide you with powerful data on the relationship between your feelings and eating habits.

Once you’ve collected this information, you can start to look for trends and patterns. For example, did you notice you ate snacks or comfort foods in the afternoon at work if you had a stressful meeting in the morning? Or perhaps you ate past the point of fullness when you were out at dinner with friends? Did you finish a packet of biscuits or tub of ice cream when you were doing a mindless task at work?

Knowing this information can be extremely useful in planning how to overcome emotional eating.

Key points:

  • Having a better understanding of which situations might trigger emotional eating is important in preventing and overcoming this
  • Keeping a food and mood journal can help us to pinpoint certain triggers that may lead to overeating and weight gain in the long term

Know the difference between physical and emotional hunger

Differentiating between emotional and physical hunger is also important to help us become more mindful of our food choices and actions.

Emotional hunger is often mistaken for physical hunger, and it can be hard to separate the two, particularly if you’re prone to emotional eating. However, there are certain clues which can help:

Emotional hunger Physical hunger
Comes on suddenly and can feel urgent and overwhelming Tends to come on more gradually
When we’re emotionally hungry, we can have cravings for specific foods, such as refined carbs or sugary snacks. We feel the need to have these foods immediately and that they’re the only type of food that will satisfy our hunger. When we’re experiencing physical hunger, we’d be happy to eat anything, including more balanced choices like vegetables and protein
Often when we’re emotionally hungry, we eat the foods we crave mindlessly. We can eat quickly and often don’t allow time to taste or enjoy the food. When we’re physically hungry, we’re more aware of what we’re doing when eating
We can be prone to ‘bingeing’ or eating beyond the point of fullness when experiencing emotional hunger. We find it difficult to stop. With physical hunger, we’re more inclined to stop when our stomach is full
Emotional hunger is felt as a craving that you can’t get out of your mind. Physical hunger is felt in the stomach, with growling or pangs of hunger
Emotional hunger can also often lead to unhealthy food choices which can leave us feeling guilty or ashamed We generally don’t experience feelings of guilt if we eat as a result of physical hunger

Understanding the difference between physical and emotional hunger can help us better understand why we’re making certain food choices, and then learn to control the triggers that lead to these choices.

If you’ve identified that your hunger is more emotional, rather than physical, what can you do about it?

When you first experience a craving, try to put off eating anything for five minutes. Don’t tell yourself that you can’t eat that food, as this usually results in us wanting the food even more. Instead, just tell yourself that you’re going to wait five minutes before eating.

During these five minutes, get yourself a large glass of water and take a few deep breaths. Take a moment to check in with yourself. What emotions are you feeling? If it’s stress, think about some of the other strategies that you’ve used in the past which have helped to control stress. This might be taking a walk outside, calling a friend, doing 10 mins of meditation, or writing in your journal.

Key points:

  • Learning to tell the difference between emotional and physical hunger can help us understand why we’re choosing to eat
  • Emotional hunger comes on suddenly and is felt as a craving in the mind. Often emotional hunger can lead to us being less mindful about our food choices and overeating.
  • Differently, physical hunger comes on gradually and is felt in the stomach. We’re usually more aware and mindful of the choices we make to satisfy physical hunger.

Use the hunger scale

Getting familiar with our hunger cues before, during, and after eating can also help us to understand emotional eating at a deeper level. In the longer term, this can help with our overall health and weight loss.

Keep in mind that hunger is a completely natural sensation and not something to be feared. The hunger scale can help you to describe your level of hunger and decide when it’s best to start and stop eating throughout the day.

Try to aim to be within the 3 – 6 range most of the time. Also remember to stay well hydrated, as often our body can mistake thirst for hunger.

How to use the hunger scale

Before you eat

Before you eat something, close your eyes and focus your attention on your stomach. Try not to let the knowledge of when you last ate influence your decision. Instead, simply let your stomach give you a number. Your body should naturally feel hunger (3 on the scale) around every 3-5 hours after you eat a meal.

If you notice you want to eat or you feel hungry from somewhere other than in your stomach, it might be that you’re eating for an emotional reason or out of habit. Instead of eating at this time, try and find an alternative way to comfort yourself.

During a meal

Eat slowly so you can listen to your fullness cues. Pay attention to body signals that tell you you’re no longer hungry (you can use the hunger scale for these). Aim to be comfortably full, but avoid getting to the point of feeling stuffed.

Finishing a meal

Stop eating when you’re around 5 or 6 on the hunger scale, even if that means leaving food on your plate.

Most of us have been taught from a young age that it’s wasteful to leave food on our plates. While there’s definitely validation in this, it’s important to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Yes, it may be wasteful the first few times you do this. However, gradually you’ll learn to adjust the amount of food you serve on your plate or reduce the quantities that you cook with.

It may take some time to unlearn the guilt associated with leaving food on your plate, but this will help you to become more mindful and in-tune with what your body needs.

Key points:

  • The hunger scale can help us to become more in tune with the signals our body is sending us before, during, and after meals
  • It can help us decide when the best time to start and stop eating is throughout the day
  • We should aim to be within the 3 – 6 range most of the time. It’s also important to keep up our water intake, as often the body can mistake thirst for hunger.

Take home message

  • Being aware of the reasons why we might be experiencing strong cravings with certain emotions is necessary to help us overcome emotional eating
  • Keeping a food and mood journal is a good way to pinpoint certain triggers for emotional eating, especially those that we might not be aware of
  • Knowing this information can then put us in a good position to prevent or better manage these triggers
  • Differentiating between emotional and physical hunger can also allow us to become more in-tune with our body and more mindful of our food choices
  • Finally, using the hunger scale can help us be more closely engaged with feelings of hunger or fullness, and more aware of the reasons we’re choosing to eat a particular food.
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Write a response

Sheila Kaye

27 March, 2022

I found this useful and revealing describing my many disorganised eating habits. I have found over time that eating regularly helps. It is harder to eat badly if you are full.
However currently my big downfall is being tired. At around 4.00 on a day after poor sleep the desire for sugar is huge. Apart from curing my sleep problem I can’t work out a strategy to stop myself buying sweets when I’ve had a bad night.


Anna

17 April, 2022

Hi Sheila,

So pleased you’ve found this guide helpful! Inconsistent sleep can contribute to our cravings and derail healthy eating. Have you had the chance to check out our sleep guides yet? If not, you can find them here.

Our programme provides extensive educational material on sleep and how to improve sleep habits. You’ll also have the 1:1 support of your health coach throughout your time on our programme to address your specific goals and help you improve your sleep.

If you’d like to learn more, you can take our health quiz here, or email support@secondnature.io with any questions 🙂


Shahida Mahmood

18 December, 2021

I found this very interesting I’ve recognized signs of emotional eating now I will try n follow this advice to combat the cravings


Anna

18 January, 2022

Hi Shahida,

So pleased you’ve found this guide useful!

Our programme provides many other tools to help identify triggers and then use this awareness to overcome emotional eating habits. If you’re interested in learning more, you can take our health quiz here, or email support@secondnature.io with any questions 🙂


Anna

24 December, 2021

Hi Shahida,

So pleased this guide has been helpful!

Our programme provides many other tools to learn more about and overcome emotional eating. You’ll also have the support of a health coach who will be there to guide you. If you’d like to learn more, you can take our health quiz here, or email support@secondnature.io with any questions 🙂


Janet

26 September, 2021

The hunger scale was interesting and I will be definitely be using this throughout the programme.


Loraine White

15 September, 2021

Morning all I found this article very interesting and helpful because sometimes my emotions can take control and I eat to try and ease this but reading this has helped me understand


Anna

21 September, 2021

Hi Loraine,

Thanks for your comment, so pleased you’ve found this guide helpful 🙂

If you’d like to learn more about our programme, you can take our health quiz here, or email support@secondnature.io with any questions!


Pauline mills

22 August, 2021

Please send me the five day plan thank you.


Janet

17 August, 2021

A good read with some good explanations and tips. I am guilty of not allowing myself to leave food on my plate. I have reduced my plate size to account for this and so I don’t eat so that I am stuffed


Zoe Coleman

4 July, 2021

Wow, reading this has really opened my mind. I’m definitely going to work through the spreadsheet to understand why I crave sweet things all of the time. It’s so easy for people to say “don’t eat it” but understanding the why is the hard part to overcoming the urge. I feel really positive that Second Nature is actually going to help me!!


Grace

2 July, 2021

I love the hunger scale will try incorporate it in my future efforts


Steve

11 June, 2021

Love the hunger scale! Being aware of our eating mentality vs results of overeating is very powerful


Julie

5 May, 2021

An interesting article. Unfortunately the hunger scale was not visible. I’ll try and download. Can you please reattach? Thanks


Annie Stoker

4 May, 2021

Hi Tamara,
Could you email me a copy of the food and mood journal please?
Regards,
Annie


Melanie Pritchard-Novak

11 April, 2021

I couldnt actually read any of the pictures as the writing on the diagrams is too small and the pictures did not expand on my phone i have signed up to SN


Ruth Brookhouse

10 March, 2021

I am trying to do as much as I can to help myself. But don’t always manage to.


Yvonne

20 February, 2021

Great advice about emotional and physical hunger, I will definitely try the 5 minute wait and drink more water. good reminder to drink water. Will also use the hunger scale


Carol mcevoy

7 February, 2021

I can so relate to this article – excellent read and I have gained a lot of information, ideas and alternative actions.


Julie Buckingham

4 February, 2021

Absolutely brilliant. Really pleased I read this.


Chrissie

29 November, 2020

It was interesting to read the difference between emotional hunger and real hunger. For the first time I could see all the feelings I have when I crave chocolate, sweets and other sweet stuff. I really like the; wait 5 mins,take deep breaths and drink some water. I will try that next time I get a sudden urge to eat sweet stuff


Terene

25 November, 2020

I found this really helpful


Nadia Mazzone

22 November, 2020

Very Interesting l was never aware of so many facts and the way they have been broken down. I guess that at this stage of my life (64) l am also a different person and with different issues from when l was young and trying to deal with my life. When l was young l just got on with life, eating was never an issue but not these days and many things have been pointed out. Both my life and body have changed and l am also a diabetic and trying to live with this curse!


Roxanne Walchester

19 October, 2020

This is good
However: I dont think it should be phrased as though we are all tending to overeat – that’s assuming a lot and not empowering. I think we should foster the idea that we are not dependent on the weight loss plan. Also I am unconvinced that the mental hunger feelings are purely emotional signs that seems to fit the grid too simplistically. Clearly our brain needs to tell us we are hungry as well as our tummy rumbling.


Bridget Leonard-Trietsch

17 October, 2020

This is an excellent article. Good pointers on identifying the signs and symptoms of real and emotional hunger and how one might address these triggers.


Kathy

7 September, 2020

I become an emotional Easter when I’m in pain or extremely fatigued. All I want is chocolate, not the dark stuff, cadburys caramel. Sunday was a case in point – extremely fatigued. I knew there a box of maltesers in the cupboard…. Ignored them for 2-3 mins then thought “*%+&£€¥§×¶¿™^¡®©”… That’s what fibro foggers think like!!!! 503 cals later…..watched some dull tv😩.


Alison D

4 July, 2020

I’m really going to try hard to think about my hunger feelings.
I’m going to be so busy analysing that I’ll forget to eat!😀


Shannon George

24 June, 2020

I feel like everything people say won’t help. But I know that this is what I have. How do I stop it! I’m so fed up and tired.


Alison

17 June, 2020

After being with SN for 14weeks just realised how much additional information is on the website. Got a lot of reading to do!


Anne Paine

11 June, 2020

I have been an emotional eater for decades. I remember exactly how it started and how I felt. I had a emotionally controlling Mother and emotionally absent Father. The first paragraph saying that emotional eating is not due to a lack of willpower was very reassuring because I’ve always thought that it was. I will definitely be using the techniques in order to start to forgive myself for being so fat and out of control. Thank you


Pat

3 May, 2020

Really well put.


Rajinder Jutley

25 April, 2020

I just read the read key point and I eat when I’m bored I’m off sick with back pain I get emotional feeling useless and eat I put 10 pounds wait on since lockdown I am stressed I am to lose all my weight back I have sweet tooth


Tamara Willner

27 April, 2020

Hi Rajinder, thank you for your comment. Understandably, lockdown can be a very stressful and overwhelming time for many of us. The Second Nature programme is entirely digital, which means it can be done from the comfort of your home. If you’re looking to make healthy changes and lose some weight, you can find out more about our programme here.


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