Healthy Food Story > Read This Next Time You’re Looking for Emotional Support from Your Fridge
Read This Next Time You’re Looking for Emotional Support from Your Fridge
We've all been there, especially after a rough day/week/month/year.
On the outside, we might keep a smile on, and let everyone else assume we’ve got it all together. But all too often, we find ourselves standing in front of the fridge with no idea how we even got there.
We reach in and grab that jar of creamy peanut butter, the pint of chocolate ice cream, or the cold slice of pizza - knowing that we really aren’t even hungry.
Yep, it’s a textbook case of “emotional eating” - the term we all love to hate. And it happens to the best of us.
Believe it or not, in this very moment when you are about to open the door to your refrigerator or pantry, you have a chance to turn it all around.
It’s time to take a step back and figure out why you’re standing there, once more, with junk food on the brain. Because filling in that frustration with treats? It won’t last long.
What will? Real nourishment. Connection. Compassion. Joy.
This isn’t always easy to remember when it’s 10 PM after a rough phone call, or an argument with your moody teenager, or a pile of unanswered work emails in your inbox. We’re humans. We’re stressed. We forget.
It’s not about what you’re eating in that moment. It’s about what’s eating YOU.
As a starting point, I’ve come up with a simple script for the next time you’re in a standoff with your fridge. A reminder that food is not really your best solution.
This script is not like putting a padlock on your refrigerator door, or shouting a mantra as you try desperately not to devour something.
It’s a mental shift... a new beginning intended to click your brain out of “urge” mode and serve as the initial realization you need to dig deeper into your emotions to discover how & why you ended up there in the first place.
I’ve crafted this letter/script into a beautiful worksheet that is more nourishing than a bar of dark chocolate. You can easily fill it out online and save to your desktop, or print it and affix to your favorite place (your food journal, your daily planner, or even your fridge.)
CLICK HERE to download and use the next time you’re trying to quench your feelings with food.
Dear Me,First off, I want you to take a deep breath. Now, exhale.
I know you had a hard day, again. There’s a ton on your plate. And sometimes, it all gets to be a bit much.
But you know what? Whatever you’re about to reach for—it’s not the answer.
Yes, it might distract you for a few minutes, or make you think you feel better temporarily. But eventually, the stress will resettle.
You deserve to feel great. You deserve to feel whole, happy, and satisfied. But you won’t find any of that in here.
Take another deep breath again. Exhale.
Ask yourself: What are you actually seeking? Are you physiologically hungry? Tired?
Remember, It can be tough to fight off cravings when your blood sugar is low. If you haven’t eaten enough today, or balanced your meals and snacks with heart-healthy fats, clean protein and complex carbs, then go ahead and grab some nutrient-dense foods that always make you feel energized & happy.
Not genuinely hungry? Don’t sweat it.
Here are a few ideas for compassionately dealing with your cravings... instead of sweets & carbs followed by a big old serving of guilt.
Do one, or try them all!
Call someone who makes you feel as good as a slice of pecan pie. A best friend, sibling, partner, parent, etc.
List three people you can connect with here:
Step away from the fridge, and go do an activity that makes you feel awesome
This might mean going for a run, swinging a hula hoop a few times at midnight, or just heading outside and breathing in the fresh air.
Include a few physical activities you can easily do right now:
Jam to, or dance around the house to a song you adore
Quick! Write down your top three happiness theme songs, and let the party begin:
Bonus: Serve yourself up your favorite saying
Think of a phrase or quote that gives you strength and refreshes your spirit again and again? Say it to yourself out loud, now.
You don’t need food to help you feel better. Instead, it’s time to reach out to the people and things that nourish you deeply; in mind, body, and spirit.
That’s real soul food, baby. Eat up.
Love,
Me
Now it’s your turn…
After you've worked through the script, don't forget to share your stories & insights on how you plan to walk away next time you're looking for emotional support from the fridge.
