Food DOES make us feel better

I recently had this email come into my inbox. I use to agree with every word, but now I believe and have researched there is something missing with this message.

“Starting a new diet is usually easy…
You enjoy the foods, and realize they aren’t half bad.
You’re full of motivation, you exercise, and each day, you feel a little bit lighter.
Then, one day, something happens…
Maybe you get some bad news or become stressed…
And you feel yourself start to crack.
To make yourself feel better, you reach for that cupcake, or bowl of ice cream…
And it makes you feel a little bit better, at least, temporarily.
The next day, things aren’t quite as bad, but when the kids start kicking and screaming, or life essentially just “happens…”
You crack again. And this time it didn’t take as much…
“It’s just one time, one little treat won’t hurt,” you tell yourself…
But you end up telling yourself that every single day.
Emotional eating is a vicious cycle, and it’s so hard to deal with, because ALL of us go through pain, loss, stress, and grief.
Sometimes, those sweets feel like our friends that comfort us, the sugar gives us a temporary escape from the pain that makes you feel good.
But at what cost?
My friend, I know the trouble of emotional eating, and I just want you to know that there is a better way.
Because while emotional eating makes you feel better for a short while, the cost is monumental. The cost to your health, the insulin spikes that make it impossible for you to lose weight…
While those sweets might make you feel better… they’re putting your health at risk for diabetes, heart disease, cancer…”

What I felt was missing or not quite supportive was:

That if you feel pain or stress and you eat for comfort you have failed both emotionally and physically.

I know people who are super healthy both physically and emotionally who can eat cake and not have guilt, shame, intense insulin spikes or weight gain.

How come they have a better relationship with food and fewer insulin spikes?

  1. Most likely never did extreme diets.
  2. Grew up with a balanced diet of quality foods versus processed foods and sugars.
  3. Most likely not shamed as a child for their weight or food choices.
  4. Approached nutrition as food is for health, and energy and not for a quick fix.
  5. Are taking minimal medications and focusing on preventative health
  6. Drink plenty of water and tea versus caffeinated drinks, soda and sugary drinks.
  7. Have consistent emotional support resources, either professional, self-soothing techniques and healthy relationships.

The main takeaway is that their stress responses are more responsive versus reactive.

This is what happens when our body experiences stress.

This is a totally healthy response in small doses, but what is happening for most people, this chemical response is turned on too often or stays turned on.

The stress response begins in our brain with our thoughts, feelings, emotions THAT create a hormonal flare from our pituitary gland to the rest of our body and organs.

How do we shift this?

“LOTS of little things” is exactly what one of my clients said this week. She has been working on supporting her hormones and her self-care routine.

If you desire to help your mental conditioning shift to support your body’s chemistry by adding YOUR little things that work for you, let’s meet!

Set up a time for us to chat to see how I can support YOU to have a balanced mind and body!

Or if the timing feels great for you, work with me for a Season!

When to start? My next LIVE 4-week Masterclass is the best time. We begin on October 11th and it is a great way to support and nourish yourself until the end of the year. You can choose either group or personal. Reply back to this email to set up a time for us to chat or…

Related Articles