Emotional Eating

What is emotional eating?

Emotional eating is the tendency to eat in response to feelings such as stress, sadness, boredom, or anxiety, rather than physical hunger. It’s a common coping mechanism that can interfere with healthy eating habits.

How common is emotional eating?

Emotional eating affects many people at some point, but for some, it becomes a frequent behaviour that impacts their health. It is particularly common during stressful life events or emotional transitions.

Is emotional eating serious?

It can be. Emotional eating may lead to weight gain, eating disorders, and emotional distress. Over time, it may create a cycle of shame, guilt, and unhealthy eating patterns.

When and how to get help with emotional eating

If you often eat when not hungry or feel out of control with food during emotional times, consult a GP or mental health professional for support and guidance.

How to know if you have emotional eating

• Craving comfort foods when upset or stressed
  
• Eating when not physically hungry
  
• Eating to avoid dealing with emotions
  
• Feeling guilt or shame after eating
  

Typical signs and symptoms of emotional eating

• Reaching for food in response to emotions
  
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
  
• Food cravings triggered by emotional states
  
• Avoidance of dealing with stress or conflict directly
  

Complications of untreated emotional eating

• Weight-related health issues (e.g., obesity, diabetes)
  
• Low self-esteem and body dissatisfaction
  
• Progression to binge eating disorder
• Emotional distress

What causes emotional eating?

• Chronic stress
  
• Learned behaviours from childhood
  
• Low mood or anxiety
  
• Hormonal imbalances (e.g., cortisol)
  
• Irregular eating patterns
  

Risk factors for developing emotional eating

• Dieting or food restriction
  
• Poor emotional regulation skills
  
• Exposure to trauma or emotional neglect
  
• Fatigue and sleep deprivation
  

Is emotional eating hereditary or lifestyle-based?

It is primarily lifestyle-based, though emotional regulation can be influenced by upbringing and environment.

How is emotional eating diagnosed?

There is no formal medical test for emotional eating. Diagnosis is based on behavioural patterns identified during discussions with a GP or therapist.

Tests and assessments used to identify emotional eating

• Food and mood diaries
  
• Psychological evaluations
• Eating behaviour questionnaires

Medical treatment for emotional eating

• Referral to a therapist or dietitian
  
• Treatment of underlying conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety)
  
• Supportive medication in some cases (e.g., for mood regulation)
  

Therapies and interventions for emotional eating

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  
• Mindfulness-based therapy
  
• Emotional regulation coaching
  
• Support groups
  

Do medications help with emotional eating?

Medications may be used to treat underlying mood disorders but are not a direct treatment for emotional eating. Behavioural therapies are more effective.

Lifestyle changes to manage emotional eating

• Establish regular meal patterns
  
• Develop healthy emotional outlets (e.g., exercise, journaling)
  
• Improve sleep and stress management
  
• Practise mindful eating
  

Home remedies and self-help for emotional eating

• Keep a food and mood journal
  
• Delay emotional eating urges (use the 10-minute rule)
  
• Create a calming bedtime routine
• Build a list of non-food coping strategies

When should you get medical help for emotional eating?

• If emotional eating is frequent or distressing
  
• If you’re gaining weight or feel out of control with food
• If it’s affecting your mood, self-esteem, or daily life

Emotional eating in children

Can emerge from using food as a reward or comfort. Early guidance is essential.

Emotional eating during pregnancy

Hormonal changes and stress can trigger emotional eating. Nutritional support is key.

Emotional eating in older adults

Can be linked to loneliness or grief; emotional and nutritional support may be needed.

Can you prevent emotional eating?

Building emotional awareness and healthy coping habits can reduce the likelihood of emotional eating.

Tips to reduce your risk of emotional eating

• Avoid restrictive diets
  
• Address stress proactively
  
• Practise self-compassion
• Develop non-food coping mechanisms

Living with emotional eating

Recovery means understanding your emotional triggers and learning to respond without using food.

How to manage emotional eating in the long term

• Continue therapy if needed
  
• Use mindfulness and self-monitoring
  
• Celebrate progress, not perfection
• Maintain a balanced lifestyle

Medicspot supports individuals struggling with emotional eating by offering medical and psychological care tailored to your needs.

Some of our treatments may help with this condition, but please note that we cannot treat you if you have a diagnosed or documented eating disorder. For more information please book a free call with an advisor.

This article is for general information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Medic Spot Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. In the event of an emergency, please call 999 for immediate assistance.

There is no guarantee of a specific weight loss medication being prescribed. Clinicians will review your online questionnaire alongside other independently validated medical information about you and will recommend the most appropriate weight loss treatments for you based on your answers. In some cases, the clinicians may contact you for additional information. See Terms of Service for more information.