Separating Feelings From Food

Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope

Many Use Food As a Means of Coping with Emotions

Whether you are in recovery from an eating disorder or not, it is not uncommon to frequently hear comments and discussions centered on food. Many individuals who struggle with an eating disorder have the tendency to project emotions and feelings on to food or use food as a means of coping with overwhelming emotions. For example, if someone you love is dealing with an eating disorder, you may hear them say, “I am afraid of eating this food”, or “I am worried that food might make me gain weight”, and more.

On the surface, this may appear to be a food/body related issue, and for these reasons, eating disorders are often misunderstood as diseases of “vanity”. However, for a person struggling with an eating disorder, fear or other feelings projected on food are often manifestations of deeper related issues. A person who might be afraid of eating a particular food may really be fearful of losing control.

Another individual who commonly expresses a fear of becoming fat or overweight may in actuality be fearful of being unlovable or undesirable. Because food is a tangible substance that can be manipulated and controlled, it is easier to project emotions on to the food itself rather than deal with it directly.

Recovery Involves Learning to Cope with Feelings / Emotions

The process of recovery from an eating disorder involves learning how to not only separate emotion from food but how to effectively cope with feelings that may be overwhelming and difficult to face.

Working with a professional counselor or therapist that specializes in eating disorder recovery can assist you through this process, as it can be challenging to learn and understand a new way of thinking and dealing with emotions.

If you are in recovery from an eating disorder, practice mindfulness and awareness of how you may relate your emotions to food. If a certain food triggers a particular emotion in you, such as fear, anger, anxiety, sadness, etc., be aware of this emotion and learn to ask questions that might help you understand where this emotion may be coming from.

Remember, food is an inanimate object that is meant for nourishing our bodies. If food is triggering an emotion in you, it is likely coming from something else. Working with your treatment team can be a helpful tool through this process and recovery journey.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

If you are in recovery from an eating disorder, what tools were helpful to you in separating emotion from food?

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Crystal is a Masters-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a specialty focus in eating disorders, maternal/child health and wellness, and intuitive eating. Combining clinical experience with a love of social media and writing, Crystal serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope, where her passion to help others find recovery and healing is integrated into each part of her work.

As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Crystal has dedicated her career to helping others establish a healthy relationship with food and body through her work with EDH/AH and nutrition private practice.

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The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on January 24, 2016
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com