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Relationship with Food

The holidays are here, which means that millions of Americans across the country will be taking trip after trip to tables packed with stuffing, turkey, mashed potatoes and endless pies. After eating a plate or two too many and loosening a belt notch, plenty of adults can’t help but think a little harder about their relationship with food. Is food comfort? Is it community? Is food a crutch? Is food fuel? The answer is much more complicated than “yes” or “no.”

Food and Feelings

The food that we eat directly affects how we feel. Whether it’s the way that our bodies physically feel or our emotions, the choices we make stick with us after the plate is empty. A number of factors influence each individual’s feelings about food and eating, including cultural, social, familial, individual, psychological and economic factors. Numerous people eat as a coping mechanism to deal with boredom, anxiety, depression, stress and to prolong positive feelings like happiness. While eating might help in the short term, this negative relationship with food typically leads to feelings of guilt and regret. The emotions that are temporarily soothed will be back with a vengeance once the meal is done. 

Psychology and Your Relationship with Food

In counseling, CBT Baltimore works with many people who seek professional help improving attitudes towards food and relationships. Psychology can address both behavioral and cognitive patterns around food. By assessing eating habits and identifying ways to change them, and by noticing self-defeating eating patterns and improving them, your relationship with food can be changed for the better.

Do You Have a Healthy Relationship with Food?

If you answer “yes” to any of the questions below, it might be time to work with a CBT expert at CBT Baltimore to discuss your relationship with food.

  • Can you eat when you are hungry and stop once you are satisfied?
  • Do you stop eating before your body is satisfied?
  • Do you make yourself physically uncomfortable when you over- or under-eat?
  • Do you feel guilty when you overeat?
  • Can you balance the time you spend thinking about food and weight with other parts of your life, like work and relationships?
  • Can you leave food behind because you know it will be there tomorrow?

Improve Your Mindset and Relationship with Food 

If you are struggling with over-eating, under-eating or your relationship with food, you are not alone.  Reach out to the CBT experts at CBT Baltimore at 443-470-9815. We would love to speak with you and help.