ATD: How Can I Avoid Stress Eating and Overeating?
Perhaps this is two questions but . . . I am a nurse and find that I tend to stress eat—any quick tips on how to stop that? And in this same vein, any quick tips on how to stop overeating a meal one orders out? –Thanks! Amy
Dear Amy,
This is two questions, but I think there is one answer that will help them both, and that is keeping a food diary. One of my favorite quotes is, “Awareness is the precursor to change”. You have to be aware of what you are doing before you can change your behavior. Knowing you will be writing down what you eat has most people stop to reconsider what they’re eating, why they’re eating it, and how much they’re eating. This can help reduce the amount of calories taken in.
Another strategy that can help with either issue is planning ahead. As a nurse, you are probably not stress eating as much as you are “catch-up” eating. I’ve worked in hospitals for years, and I know nurses rarely get the break time they need for meals or snacks, so whenever you see something in the break room–even if it’s a box of chocolates brought in by a thankful patient’s family member–that’s what you’re going to eat! Do what you can in your work day to get in something healthy–have an instant breakfast drink or shake on the way to work when it’s too early to have a full sit-down breakfast; carry granola bars to munch on when you get a minute so you have something more nutritious and filling to tide you over until you finally get a chance to go to lunch. And consider carrying a sandwich and some veggie sticks and fruit to work with you so you’ll have something healthy that requires no preparation.
As for ordering out, there are sites where restaurants offer the calorie content of items on their menus so you can figure out your best options ahead of time. Then, split the meal and put half your food away before even starting to eat so it’s not all sitting there tempting you!
Written by Laurie Beebe
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About The Author: Laurie Beebe has been a registered dietitian for 25 years and is certified in adult weight management. Laurie currently serves as a Related posts:
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