Emotional eating, disordered eating, and eating disorders are commonly used interchangeably. And although they all have similarities, there are huge differences between them. Let’s delve into them all!

Emotional Eating:

We don’t always eat to just satisfy physical hunger. Eating in response to uncomfortable or negative emotions is normal and okay. When we start eating, happy feel-good hormones are released in our brain.

Occasionally using food as a pick-me-up, reward, or to celebrate an occasion isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, when eating is your primary way of emotional coping with uncomfortable emotions, this cycle can well and truly develop into a more serious issue.

I wrote another blog post on whether overeating is normal here

Binge Eating Disorder:

Binge eating is defined as eating a significantly larger amount of food than most people would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances. During a binge, a person feels out of control or feels that they can’t stop eating. Some describe it as a trance-like state.

The most effective treatments for eating disorders typically involve some form of psychotherapy or counselling with a medical and nutrition support component from an accredited practising dietitian.

If you think you are struggling from binge eating disorder, I highly suggest reaching out to professional support from a dietitian!

Want to know more?

Al xx