Comfort Food vs Emotional Eating
Is There Really a Difference
It’s important to distinguish the difference between comfort food and emotional eating. Both are prevalent in our society however one can be nourishing while the other cause a host of different physical and emotional issues.
Please note, this is a no shame essay that is meant to inform and inspire.
Comfort Food
Have you ever had one of those days and sat down with your favorite childhood meal, maybe Grandma’s stew or a parent’s traditional dish? Something with a balance of meat and vegetables, vegan/vegetarian, or maybe just a fruit filled treat that brings joy to your heart and laughter to your lips.
Emotional Eating
Have you ever had one of those days that completely wore you down, and you went to the store, drive through, or fridge and pulled out something at random, and ate it all?
Do you have a pattern during tough times of automatically pulling the ice cream out of the fridge and eating the entire pint, or quart? Or perhaps a large bag of chips, whole pizza, or a super-sized meal that may offer a temporary fix but has left you feeling more empty than before?
Is There Really a Difference
The short answer is yes there is. One can bring solace, joy, and fulfillment. The other brings emptiness, and perhaps some shame or guilt.
One offers nourishment and positive memories. The other can be detrimental to your wellbeing.
Comfort food can feel like a breath of fresh air. That right balance of nourishing ingredients that serves as a reminder of happier days. Or it’s just a meal that feels good to the body and soul whether you’re having challenges or not. Even if you walk into a cafe and the smell of that chocolate chip cookie brings you back to a joy-filled time; where unless you have Diabetes or another health issue, one cookie hits the spot. You can stop and move on.
Emotional eating on the other hand, is used to medicate an underlying issue; whether a physical or emotional challenge that you just can’t get ahold of, so you just try to eat the problem away. This is one simple explanation, there are many others.
A person who uses food to medicate often overconsumes and may feel a temporary high. Then after a few minutes or hours, the issue still remains along with the possible guilt/shame of just eating too much, especially if it’s junk or fast food. There’s also eating to the point of feeling sick to the stomach.
Grace
As a mental health professional and person who has a history of emotional eating, I can tell you that you are not alone. There are millions of people who use food to medicate a stressor or underlying issue. It’s important to note that emotional eating can cause physical and/or emotional harm. It’s a quick fix, not a long-term solution.
If you are a person who eats to fill the void or solve the issue, I would like to offer that you give yourself plenty of grace. Healing is possible with the right support system. Whether a good friend, support circle, a healthcare professional, or trusted clergy with training in the issue, there is life after having a history of emotional eating. That life can involve eating comfort food as well. The key is healing and knowing the difference.
I know that you can do it, I did.
I pray this essay serves you in a way that is nourishing or gives pause for thought.
Blessings,
Tara
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