EMOTIONAL EATING ISSUES

Emotional Eating Issues are a concern for many people, women and men.  Ranging from over eating, not eating at all or binge eating and purging, to just eating enough to survive.  These issues have been more publicized about teen girls, young women and women in general vs. men, however, more men have come forward about eating issues throughout the years and it is a serious, potentially life threatening disorder for any involved.

Girls, Women, Boys and Men are surrounded by images growing up of magazine models, celebrities, mothers making statements about their own bodies, fathers making comments about women, girls talk with their friends about what types of bodies boys like, and sometimes a boy will tell a girl why he likes or dislikes her body, and the dislike talk from a boy, a guy or a man is the kiss of death of self esteem to that girl who may be on the cusp of her own self doubt and esteem. There are some girls who will not let a comment tear them down, however, there is a large number that will remember it and either live by it, become it, or become the opposite.  The list of negative messages we all here goes on and on.  Self Image is splashed in every ounce of marketing to every age group.

As a society I believe we have an obligation to ourselves, to our children, to our neighbors, to our parents, to our spouses, our siblings, our nieces and nephews and to the earth to live with as much respect as possible towards one another. Feeling worthy and respected and loved and having a healthy self esteem is hard to come by for some and those feelings of a lack of love affect their every bite or every purposeful starvation act.

Listen to those around you and recognize when someone really needs help for a eating disorder. A Food Disorder is really a symptom of pain much deeper.  The word Dis-Order speaks volumes to the chaos that one puts themselves through rationalizing or avoiding their "dis-order" on the inside, emotionally.  It is the longing in the human condition to want to feel loved, worthy and to think healthy thoughts about ourselves.  We owe it to ourselves to get help when needed and receive much needed help and much deserved care for our souls.

For more information about Food Related Disorders, go to the National Eating Disorders Organization.

But, I love my Tobacco, Processed Foods and Soft Drinks...

Smoking, Chewing Tobacco - Worse than Bad!  Nicotine is one of the most addictive drugs in the legal market that anyone over the age of 18 can legally purchase.  Most people who smoke began before they turned 18 and have had 20 years of smoking under their belts by the time they are 35. Emotionally, this habit is the hardest to break and brings out many an aggravated person in the early stages of quitting.  Many people need help to quite smoking and thankfully there are many gums, patches and other nicotine tools to help you lessen the withdrawal effects from not having this chemical in your body. Not only is the nicotine itself bad, the other chemicals they use to produce cigerettes or chewing tobacco is not pure, it is loaded with chemicals and compounded with a variety of known toxic ingredients like tar, ammonia (cleaning agent), carbon monoxide (poison gas know as the "silent killer") cyanide (rat poison) and even formaldehyde (used to preserve) and that is just the tip of the iceberg! I just wrote this and it scares me because I know who people who still smoke.  At this point and time in history when we know the breakdown of how this toxicity destroys ours arteries, brains, lungs and bodies, we have to make the choice to change this bad, bad habit. Cancer and Heart Disease and Smoking are directly related to one another.  I know this addiction can be broken because I smoked for about 20 years and it was by far one the most healthiest decisions I've ever made for myself and my family.  The discomfort and aggravation you feel is well worth it when you truly absorb what the benefits are from quitting.  Love yourself more and make the change...

Soft Drinks, Diet or Regular - Bad! Some people drink their soft drinks, like coffee in the morning. Without it, you feel like you are missing something from your routine. Perhaps it's what they drink so they will not eat and or maybe it's tastes good to wash down your daily lunch. Emotionally you want it, you crave it, you can taste it if you think about if long enough. Soft drinks are filled with sugar, chemicals and are not a necessity to feed your body and be productive. If you can, ditch them now and stick to an occasional soft drink and make it a treat. The new information that continues to surface is relating an percentage increase of strokes and pancreatic issues, and other health issues related to the daily dose of soft drinks, diet or not. Even though this is not conclusive, the researchers are constantly changing what the effects are so its an easy loop hole excuse to continue drinking them, however, if I were constantly consuming something that was being labeled as "dangerous" or "bad", I would just stop to be on the safe side.

Processed Foods, Everywhere...  These are my favorites! Chemicals and Artificial Flavors are taking over our bodies and our brains. Science is discovering more and more that foods that are fake filler foods are causing harmful consequences to our bodies.  For example, not only are trans fats and dyes making your body not able to function at it's highest level of energy, your brain is actually making you think you want these foods due to their chemical compounds mixed together.  You have to re-train your brain to think about and feel how these foods are affecting you now and long term.  Yes, it is hard to step away from these crunchy, salty, yellow or red, sugar loaded foods that may make you sluggish and are not working in favor of your health, however if you try eating other foods, like an apple with cinnamon or strawberries with stevia you can slowly reduce the processed foods each week and make a difference in your very own life.  Be your own best parent and do for yourself what you suggest for your children to do.