10 Signs of Overeating
It’s easy to overeat in our culture of over-sized, fast-food meals. Some type of fast-food offering convenience can be found on every corner. These are high-calorie, low- nutrition foods, such as hamburgers and fries.
Many of us were raised on junk food lacking nutrients. An assortment of highly salted, sugary, and artificially flavored junk foods has been created by the food industry to generate an addictive relationship. This addiction to junk food is extremely difficult to overcome.
Eating simple carbohydrates is like other pleasurable behaviors such as sex and drug use which triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that makes you feel good. Dopamine acts as a positive reinforcement for eating. Every time you eat, dopamine reinforces the behavior which eventually becomes habitual.
But overeating is more than just a brain chemistry concern – it includes many other factors that create the challenges many of us face.
These are some of the key principles that we address at McGowan Medical Center’s ground-breaking wellness program.
At least 80% of the people I meet for a consultation deny having overeating issues.
During our consultation, I always suggest they consider these 10 common signs of overeating:
- Eating fast
- Eating without paying attention
- Eating without pleasure or nourishment
- Eating alone with a feeling of shame, guilt, or embarrassment
- Eating and feeling “heavy” afterwards
- A preoccupation with your weight
- A belief that even though you love food, it’s still your “enemy”
- A history of weight fluctuations or a string of unsuccessful diets
- A fear of appetite
- A belief that life will be better if you can just control your appetite and lose weight
After reviewing these common signs together, over 50% change their mind and admit overeating is one of their challenges. The next step is understanding how to conquer overeating when food is so abundant and food delivery has increased dramatically.
You may want to schedule a consultation to explore your wellness challenges. Text your name, eating and or wellness concerns to 904.236.5858.
Dr. Fitness
iamdrfitness.com
Courtesy: Institute for the Psychology of Eating