
Some of us often experience times of food cravings and over-indulging. These feelings or actual behaviors may be associated with a real physiological desire for something sweet or salty, or it can be driven by an emotion such as a feeling of sadness, anxiety, boredom, aggravation, frustration or tiredness. Skipping meals throughout the day and then seeking a “pick me up” during the mid -afternoon also leads to inappropriate snacking. Often the types of foods typically chosen are “convenient”, with a high fat and sugar content and these foods lack sufficient amounts of nutrients to sustain good health. A fruit however is convenient but yet hardly chosen to over-indulge on. Within a short space of time one may consume large amounts of food in an almost “out of control” manner. Food is often used as a “reward” as some believe that at the end of a stressful day we deserve something “nice”.
My question to you is though: Is the over-indulging actually changing your feelings or circumstance? After your indulgence, do you feel any less bored, frustrated, stressed, aggravated, or sad? Do you feel any less lonely?
During the over-indulging episode, food may initially provide some immediate and short term gratification, but thereafter most of us experience feelings of guilt and despondency and frustration with ourselves.
At the end of the day, it is important to ask yourself: what is the “true role” food has to play in our daily lives? Food can have many meanings and definitions but in essence it refers to a material consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, and fat used in the body to sustain vital metabolic processes such as growth, repair, and providing energy to sustain daily activities.
Hence our challenge is to start regarding the food on our plate for its real purpose, and be grateful that the food can play its nourishing role and not seek food as an emotional crutch. On the other hand, food not only has a physiological role to play but also social meaning for us as humans. Delicious food is served at almost all social events like marriages, parties, meetings etc. On all these occasions, food indirectly serves as a powerful and effective instrument for developing social rapport and takes on the meaning of celebration and having a good time. In these instances enjoy the treats as it has meaning, but be mindful of what and how much you are eating and drinking.
Ways to combat overall cravings and over-indulging:
*Portion Controlled
“One cannot think well, love well, and sleep well, if one has not dined well.” -Virginia Woolf
References
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