Stress and emotions trigger overeating from "summary" of The End of Overeating by David A. Kessler
When we experience stress or strong emotions, our bodies often crave high-fat, high-sugar foods. This is not a conscious decision, but rather a response driven by our brain's reward system. When we eat these types of foods, our brains release dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter that reinforces the behavior. Over time, this can create a cycle of overeating in response to stress or emotions. Our brains are wired to seek out pleasure and avoid pain, and for many people, food has become a primary source of pleasure. When we are stressed or upset, our brains signal that eating these types of foods will make us feel better. This can lead to a pattern of using food as a coping mechanism, even when we are not hungry. The problem is compounded by the fact that many processed foods are specifically engineered to be highly palatable and addictive. They are designed to hit the "bliss point" – the perfect combination of sugar, fat, and salt that stimulates our taste buds and triggers the release of dopamine. This makes it even harder to resist the temptation to overeat when we are under stress or feeling emotional. In addition to the biological factors at play, there are also psychological and social aspects that contribute to overeating in response to stress and emotions. We may have learned from a young age that food is a source of comfort, or we may have developed habits of emotional eating as a way to cope with difficult situations. Social factors, such as eating with others or watching TV while eating, can also influence our food choices and consumption. To break the cycle of overeating in response to stress and emotions, we need to become more aware of our triggers and develop alternative coping strategies. This may involve finding healthier ways to manage stress, such as exercise or meditation, or seeking support from a therapist or support group. By addressing the root causes of our emotional eating patterns, we can begin to make healthier choices and break free from the cycle of overeating.
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