Do you eat to feed your nerves?

Smoking is a complete no no as you are filling your body with toxins as is the stress which is helping to release too much cortisol in the body and depleats your kidneyw of adrenalin and thus helps you to pile on the pounds..quit the smoking, get on the bike and also brisk walking and things like yoga or tai ji can help..don't eat carbs at night..just protein and veggies and if you eat carbs..before the afternoon, never at your evening meal.I hope this helps hugz

Reaching out for food is the easiest when the nerves need soothing. I find myself looking for something to munch or drink. I go for exercise only in the morning or evening when it is exercise time. However, at times, working helps to keep the food away.

No, I am just the opposite. If I am nervous or upset, I lose my appetite. I've always been that way. I've never really been a big eater and when I am upset I eat even less. I think my oldest daughter tends to take after me in this aspect too!

Have you tried praying about it? Maybe something to keep you busy like taking a walk or something that keeps you from eating or smoking?? Also, if you really feel the need to eat, eat something healthy like carrots, the extra effort to crunch can also relax you..

I can say that this is a fault I have had. What I did to stop it (well curve because sometimes I still do) is to drink water or chew gum when I see myself going for foods when it really isn't time to eat or I am really not hungry,.

Hi there..im a comfort eater too!! When im troubled i just cant stop munching..i know its bad..but the more i try to stop the more i eat.

I am the very same pal , I know exactly where you are coming from , As you know I look after 4 disabled in my family and when I am feeling a bit down I eat ( most days) I have just started a new diet last Sunday as all of my clothes were getting tight AGAIN . I sympathize pal xx

Hey stephcjh, Sounds as though we have a few common worries, I also eat to feed my nerves and other emotions. I don't have medical insurance and can't afford to even if I wanted to. Which it would be nice. My doctor which cost me $80 to see for 20 minutes. Told me I have a compulsive eating disorder and the their are only a few ways to stop compulsive eating. One stay away from home where food is easy access,two whenever I have the urge to eat exercise, then I would be likely more to associate food with exercise then comfort or for my nerves. Three put a lock on my fridge and cabinets and only have the alotted foods I am suposed to eat that day in a cooler and only hubby or someone who won't give in to me have the key, fourth, now these were the exact words, mind you, "get off your butt,get out of your house, get a job so your out of the house and more able to control yourself when food isn't within handy reach.." Fifth, as a last resort get my jaw wired shut. She told me that she had the same problem and that is how she dealt with her issues of compulsive eating. Which I do eat alot when I am not hungry at all. I don't smoke anymore, but my husband does, when I smoked it was salem menthols and I think that helped me alot to not eat as much. I quit drinking pop because it said it would help me lose weight but me it just made me gain because of grabbing a pop I was grabbing more food. I doubt if they are a true cure for the munchies though. unless of course we get our mouth and jaw wired shut. But I love food and that a bad thing also associating love with food.

I tend to comfort eat, if that's a similar thing. When I'm upset or down for some reason, I'll need to pamper myself a bit, with the same weight-gaining result. However... I discovered that celery with Primula cream cheese piped in the groove, is very satisfying and doesn't pile on the weight. Maybe you should try that, if you like celery. I do a couple of sticks and cut it into bit sized pieces after piping the cheese into it. If you can't get Primula, then any low fat cream cheese would do, I guess. Brightest Blessings.

i dont think that i eat just to feed my nerves..usually when im stressed out i cant eat properly....discipline is a key word inorder that you can stop smoking..my husband was a chain smoker and was able to quit abruptly its been 17 years since then..thanks God for that...

What I try to do is not keep junk foods in the house like chips, cookies, etc. I don't want to deprive CJ or hubby of these things but when they're in the house I also tend to eat when I'm not hungry. I'm doing better at it but need to work harder at it. I also have exercise equipment; a Power Rider, mini-trampoline, and an exercise ball - they're staring me right in the face and I keep telling myself that I have to use them, if it's only for a few mins. per day for now; haven't done it as of yet. I also have several Gilad work-outs on DVR that I haven't even looked at yet. I just turned 50 and am going through the change; I know I have to get with the program immediately and I'm gong to try...

I don't have any good advise for you Stephcjh. I watch one good movie that somehow helped me financially and physically. I am not saying, it will change you just after you watch it. You still have a part to do. However, that movie gave me an awareness that works. I hope it will also help you. This is the first 30minutes of it, if you want to check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b1GKGWJbE8

No I'm just the opposite if I'm extremely upset or under stress then I have no appetite and depending on how bad it is I will physically get sick. That happened to me the other day. My mind was racing and all of a sudden I was sick to my stomach and yeah well you know what happened nextI think you should see a dr though maybe they can give you something for your anxiety. Contact your medical dr!

Well usally when Im nervous I can't even think about eating! Just like you I do eat when I've had a bad day though, even if I'm not hungry

I don't eat to feed my neres, but I do drink coffee when I want to relax. The Caffeine doesn't affect me, I just enjpy the taste of the stuff. It really makes me eel good after I've had a lousy day, or if I want to taste something nice in the morning.

Hi, Steph! You poor thing, emotionally driven eating is my downfall, too! I'm struggling with it, there's a couple of ideas I'm trying to utilize to change this. First line of defense is in the grocery store. Ice cream is my worst weakness, so I just don't buy it! My worst eating times are also the times of night when I'm least likely to leave the house, so I put inertia to work for me. It's good to have something else to nibble, like nuts or hard candy, just to give my mouth something to do. Microwaving popcorn, the kind that comes loose in a plastic bag, is good, too. You can put different things on it to give it flavor, without adding a bunch of calories. Popcorn is a whole grain, too, so as long as you skip the fatty stuff, it's really good for you. It's also hard to eat too much popcorn, right? Eating and/or smoking in front of the computer is a bad habit, too. I've stopped with the smoking, still working on the rest. Making the inside of my house smoke-free was the single best thing I did to help me quit. That's my best stuff right now, if I try other things that work I'll let you know. Good luck, big hugs!

All bodies are different. While some people can't bear the thought of eating when they are nervous, there are others who want to eat everything in sight. If you fall in the latter category, then these steps will help you calm down, without overeating. Drink a glass of water. This will help fill your stomach, calm your nerves and distract you from whatever is making you nervous. Ask yourself if you are really hungry. If not, then do not rely on food to calm you down. Wait a few minutes before snacking when you first get the urge to eat something. Go to the restroom or read for a few minutes. This may help the desire for a snack to pass. Choose a healthy snack if you must eat something. Filling up on sweet or starchy items could give you a sugar rush followed by a sugar crash. Sit down for a few minutes, especially if you are eating a snack. Sitting can calm you and help you slow down. Talk to someone. If you are nervous, others can help calm your nerves with reassuring words and advice.

Hi! Welcome to the club. I know that situation, except I do have health insurance. It is illegal here not to have it. The rest I feel with you. I have been having the same situation. I signed up for a womens sport club! My BF , said I should not do it, it costs to much. I figured if I stop smoking and invest the money to my sport (witch also has a swimming pool and sauna) , I would even be cheaper out than if I keep on smoking! So I don't listen to him, I do what makes me feel better. At the same time, I hope I will fit my close next month! I could also sport at home, but like you, I never get around to it.LOL! Take care, Margajoe.

Instead of eating that food go on the treadmill and use it. Everytime you want something to eat, unless you are actually hungry, go for a walk outside or on your treadmill. It may be hard to do at first, but it will become a habit, which is what it sounds like your eating has become. I am a smoker and like you, instead of putting food in my mouth I would put in a smoke, but that isn't the answer either, it just makes you smoke more and we all know that isn't good either. Good luck to you, my friend, and get control of your eating habits as it will become a problem later on in life.

I am in the same boat as you if I am nervous about somthing I eat which shows on my waistline I don't smoke so that does help me a little bit. Try to do something that will keep your hands busy like typing on the compuer or cleaning house or if it is nice outside try to do some yardwork that will keep you from eating and smoking.