Food Can't Mend a Broken Heart

Oh those French fries.  That second scoop of ice cream.  A double cheeseburger.  Comfort food when you're down?  It's more like discomfort food.  In a short time, you are angry and disappointed in yourself.  And do you stop?  No--now, instead of overeating to make you feel better, you overeat to punish yourself for overeating.  If you eat too many carbs and sugars, your biochemical reactions create cravings for even more carbs and sugars.  Oh noooo--it gets harder and harder to get off the food rollercoaster.

As you probably know, all diets work--and don't work.  It's not the diet.  It's you.  Here are a few starter tips to help you break the food comfort and discomfort cycle.

1.  Don't go food shopping when your heart is broken.

2.  Don't warehouse these bad-for-you comfort foods in your pantry or freezer.

3.  Don't go out drinking with friends.  Alcohol is like downing a bowl of sugar.  And don't use any illegal substances--especially ones that make you hungry!

4.  Don't be afraid of your unpleasant feelings.  They can't really hurt you.

5.  Do go out with friends and ask them to help you eat wisely.

6.  Do keep a few little bites of these comfort foods.  A few.  In small portions.  Your tongue gets saturated with taste after two bites.  Any more than that is--yes, emotional eating.

7.  Do establish ahead of time a list of friends and family to call when you are down.  Ask them to talk to you until your craving is over.  Cravings last about 20 minutes.

8.  Do get professional help from therapists and nutritionists and physicians.

9.  Do something that makes you feel good about yourself.  Volunteer.  Do your nails.  E-mail friends. Watch a favorite movie or show.

10. Forgive yourself if you backslide.  Everybody does. 

Best of Luck!