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
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