For you, carbohydrates may stimulate an especially powerful release of pleasure-producing hormones in your body. Like a nicotine addiction, such a compulsion is tough to break–but not impossible. Surprisingly, foods can help you do it. Sweet-but-nutritious complex carbohydrates such as the healthy foods listed below have the same calming effect. However, they’re less harmful to your waistline, because they have fewer calories than the candy bars or other calorie-rich foods you might normally seek, says Leigh Gibson, PhD, a senior research fellow at University College London who has studied this phenomenon. You’ll also be less likely to overeat throughout the rest of the day if you treat your choice like a meal instead of a mindless snack. Find a place away from your office or away from whoever is upsetting you. Then sit down, and slowly enjoy your food. Healthy Foods to Fight Emotional Eating
Tomato soupOatmealWhole wheat toast with jamMultigrain waffle with light syrupFresh fruitSweet potato, or baked potato with light sour cream and chivesLightly sweetened whole grain cereals such as Multi-Grain Cheerios
(Posted August 2001)
