More and more people are starting to recognize that they eat in response to emotions and moods. It makes perfect sense! We are subconsciously conditioned that food makes us feel good. From the time we put our favorite foods in our mouth we get an immediate feel good endorphin release and then to top it off we also can get a feel good serotonin surge. There is no doubt about it, food feels good.

However, there is a fine line between those casual emotional eaters and a full blown eating disorder. This specific kind of eating disorder has been called a binge eating disorder or compulsive overeating. This type of eating goes beyond your basic emotional eaters. So, how can you tell if you are a casual emotional eater or if you have an eating disorder?

Characteristics of a binge eating disorder: If you have any of these characteristics you may have an eating disorder.

 Regular bingeing episodes (eating large quantities of food rapidly) Feel out of control with food Feel obsessed about food and think about it all day Hide food in your house so others wont see what you are eating Eat in hiding Get up regularly in the middle of the night to eat Go through different fast food restaurants multiple times a day Have experienced a traumatic event such as physical or sexual abuse 

If you have some of these characteristics the most important thing is to not go on a diet and seek the appropriate help. Diets wont help in these circumstances and actually may do even further damage. Seek help through a licensed therapist who is trained in eating issues. If you are not ready for that step then here are some wonderful book resources that may be helpful for you.

Books: Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch
Breaking Free From Emotional Eating by Geneen Roth
When Food is Love by Geneen Roth
Feeding the Hungry Heart by Geneen Roth

Geneen Roth also has workshops and audio programs you can sign up for on her website at: www.geneenroth.com

Many people suffer from binge eating disorders and yet they dont know it because it is not as main-stream as bulimia and anorexia. The most important thing is to not feel shame about this and seek out the help you need so you can create a new and healthy relationship with food.

, 2005 Meri Raffetto

Meri Raffetto

Meri Raffetto has been a Registered Dietitian for over 8 years with a bachelor?s degree in both nutrition and psychology. Meri has extensive experience in nutritional counseling, education, and medical nutrition therapy. She has worked in several specialty clinics including eating disorders, weight management, heart disease, maternity support, and sports nutrition. She has also helped develop nutrition programs for hospitals and corporate wellness. Meri is a member of the American Dietetic Association and serves as the president for the California Tri-County Dietetic Association. She is the owner of Real Living Nutrition Services which provides nutrition counseling, and online weight management programs to help people understand their unique nutritional issues and provide them with the tools needed to create sustainable changes to reach their health goals.