Comments on: Eating, Diets and Self-Regulation

By: Evan Hadkins

Evan Hadkins — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:00:00 +0000

Thanks for a great, personal example Mariana. I have also found that changing my eating is more about emotions than anything else.

By: Mariana

Mariana — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:29:13 +0000

What can I say…. Bring on that pasta! =)

My experience relates more to food in general, than diets. Until I had my “epiphany” or major revelation in life (36 years old) I used to be indifferent to food. I was skin and bones because I ate little to nothing (due to an “emotional blockage”.)

After I realized what was the root of the emotional problem, I started enjoying food and eating naturally, without forcing myself to eat, and gaining decent weight (now I look like a person rather than a pole.) So, emotions may impact our eating habits dramatically, even if we are not fully aware of this.

By: Evan Hadkins

Evan Hadkins — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:42:53 +0000

Very well put. I think this is definitely worth investigating. Thanks for your comment Marie.

By: Marie

Marie — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:19:45 +0000

Hey, Evan -

I had an “ah hah” moment reading this post . . . there are two relationships between food and emotions . .

1) What foods call to me when I am feeling X, Y or Z emotion

2) What emotions I experience as a result of eating food X, Y or Z

I have often paid attention to #1, but not to #2.

I think this is worth investigating! Thank you!

- Marie (Coming Out of the Trees)

By: Evan Hadkins

Evan Hadkins — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:59:49 +0000

Hi Mia, thanks for telling us what works for you. I have tried using smaller crockery and utensils (a bread and butter plate instead of a dinner plate, a smaller spoon than a desert spoon) and this has helped me with portion control. I learnt this from a book about the environmental cues we use to regulate how much we eat called Mindless Eating. Hope you loved Australia (it’s where I live). Thanks for your comment.

By: Mia

Mia — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:57:45 +0000

Self regulating my diet is the simplest way to address the issue, however I do go on an occasional emotional food binge.

What is helping me is to keep available only those things that are good for me, which I do tolerate well and which are not known for putting on pounds, most meat, not so much the processed meats, vegetables, fruit and olive oil, very little bread or processed grains. I know what food puts on the pounds, but I can eat the right food and still gain weight.
The secret, I think is the self regulation pointed out. I know that I can consume large volume of food. I must regulate the amounts. 1 or 2 smaller servings at mealtime. I live alone so cooking for me is easy. ! or 2 servings is easy to prepare at home.

I must say the last month which I spent in Australia with my Italian friends and their families was an exception on the volume only, while the content for the most part was true to my diet anyway, with additional amounts of seafood and wine as a bonus.
Coming back home to eat my regular portions was a relief. Portions have been the biggest challenge for me, even moreso than the content of my diet. Doing better though.
Exercise is a natural appetite regulator and does help me by boosting metabolism. I naturally want to eat less volume.