Many people unconsciously turn to food as an escape when facing stress, anxiety, or life pressures. This habit is known as emotional eating, which refers to eating behavior triggered by emotions rather than hunger. This phenomenon was discussed by Reisi Nurdiani, SP, MSi, a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition (FKGiz) at IPB University.
Reisi explained that eating activities are closely related to a person’s psychological condition. “Emotional eating is a form of eating behavior that refers to a person’s tendency to consume food because of emotional control, not because of hunger,” she said in the IPB Podcast aired on the IPB TV YouTube channel.
According to her, the trigger is not always negative emotions. Feelings of happiness can also drive someone to eat as a form of celebration. However, problems arise when this habit occurs too frequently and becomes the primary mechanism for relieving stress.
Warning signs of emotional eating include eating without feeling hungry, difficulty controlling portion sizes, craving specific types of food, and feeling guilty after eating. If this condition occurs frequently, Reisi recommends consulting a psychologist first before seeking guidance from a nutritionist.
When Emotions Control Eating Patterns
Reisi explains that there are three types of eating behaviors: emotional eating, external eating, and restrained eating. In emotional eating, eating decisions are influenced by emotions; external eating is triggered by visual stimuli of food, and restrained eating is related to conscious food restriction.
She adds that emotional eating is most common among adolescents and young adults. “During adolescence and early adulthood, physical performance is at its peak, but stress levels are also high, increasing the likelihood of emotional eating,” she explains.
This condition, she notes, can impact health because individuals tend to choose comfort foods high in sugar and fat. Excessive consumption over the long term risks weight gain, triggering obesity, and increasing the likelihood of degenerative diseases. In fact, if left unchecked, emotional eating can develop into eating disorders such as binge eating.
How to Control Emotional Eating
Reisi emphasized that the key to overcoming emotional eating is managing emotions. “The first thing is that we must be able to control our emotions, because that is the main trigger,” she said.
She recommends adopting a balanced diet and practicing mindful eating, which involves eating consciously while understanding the benefits of food for the body. Additionally, physical activity, relaxation, social support, and daily schedule management can help reduce stress that triggers overeating.
As a conclusion, she reminded that food is not the primary solution for managing stress. Managing emotions and understanding the body’s needs are crucial steps to maintain a healthy and balanced relationship with food. (Fj) (IAAS/WSG)
