Emotional Eating: Science Revealed
If you identify as an emotional eater and I asked you which emotions triggered eating episodes unrelated to hunger, how many would be categorized as negative?
Today I choose to give a super quick and high flying view of some science and some subsequent foods (not a diet) to rebalance.
Great loads of research is going on about the “second brain” which is our gut or intestines. The bacteria or bugs living in our guts = our human cells!! There is actually a super fast secure connection from our brains to our gut and back.
The bugs in the gut affect our mood. This is BIG NEWS! Dopamine (50%) and serotonin (95%) are produced by these bugs in addition to what is produced in the brain. They also affect our appetite, feelings of fullness and digestion.
So what does the science reveal about emotion? In research, yogurt for two weeks showed calming effects. Yogurt and other foods in a group called ‘Probiotics’ also demonstrated in a month to reduce feeling of stress and measured amounts of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol is linked to cravings for “comfort type” food or increased appetite.
I always say it’s not what you’re eating but what’s eating you. In this case adding a few items to your lineup might just shake loose some emotional eating that is no longer serving you.
Probiotics – help give good bugs to the gut
- Yogurt
- Kefir
- Aged and raw cheese
- Olives
- Sauerkraut
Prebiotics – feed the good bugs you already have
- Asparagus
- Beans
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onions
- Raspberries
Moody blues strike and the lure of comfort eating calls so engage your curiosity and try ramping up the amount of good mood foods for two weeks and share your experience.
I am eager to hear from you!