Emotional eating, decoded

You’ve had a lousy day. Wouldn’t a big bowl of ice cream or a few handfuls of potato chips make you feel better?

Actually, yes. There are real physical reasons why you feel the urge to eat―and they have nothing to do with hunger. If you haven’t had enough sleep, for example, the hormones that control your appetite may be out of whack. And the mere sight or smell of food can make you want to munch, a reaction that’s hardwired into all of us. Add all the signals that bombard us, telling us to eat, eat, eat―including TV commercials and yummy aromas at mall food courts―it’s no wonder we dive into a box of cookies the minute life tosses us a curveball. 

Of course, too much impulse eating can throw off an otherwise healthy diet. But a few simple techniques can help you regain control. The next time chocolate cake calls out to you, answer back with one of these smart strategies.

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