the emotion of eating
Christmas is a time when we may tend to eat a bit more than usual:-). What with all the get-togethers and the feeling of merriment!
What we choose to eat, and how much we eat, is closely linked to our emotions. Our environment (mental, emotional, and physical) and our relationships with those around us influence our food choices.
When I was young, we would all settle around the table or the living room to have our meals which my Mum would serve us, something she would offer to do even when we were adults. This consistent routine stayed with us till the end of my parents’ lives. If we were home, we ate together. Today, I cannot think about our home without this setting playing out in my mind - hands washed, prayers said, food served and eaten, then having tea together for dessert. I loved it! It was a safe space where I could eat with people I believed genuinely loved and cared for me. They never proved me wrong.
The lack of distractions made this simple act of togetherness deeply grounding, leaving a lasting emotional impact that sustained me then, and still does today. While we may not have paid attention to the nutritional value of what we were eating, our environment eliminated the need to use food to regulate or soothe my emotions.
As much as I treasured this routine, sadly, I have failed to successfully replicate in my own home, a disservice to both my family and self. Sigh!!!
With guilt and shame disassociated with food in this simple Waithiru family routine, it has been easy for me not to use food for comfort. What happens in situations where food is used for comfort and is also tied to guilt and shame? Food becomes a source of emotional comfort and shows up in many ways - both as an aversion and impulsion.
The emotion could be happiness. Indeed, we cannot get together to celebrate without food! Boredom can drive us to gorge down one large pizza in one sitting and not know where the rest of the pizza went! Out of experience, I know that grief and anxiety can trigger a complete loss of appetite, while for others it can trigger overeating. In short, our emotions can affect how and what we eat. If this has happened to you and happens to you from time to time, you’re not alone, though this should not give us a free ride down the rabbit hole.
Seeking professional help from a trusted therapist is a winning strategy that has been proven to work for many if you find someone you can trust.
My favorite therapist is Dr Mumbi Njoroge of Gilead Mental Health who helped me out of the hardest season of my life in 2016. I thank God for her constantly!
Call to Action: If you live with others, work towards creating a culture of eating together. If you live alone or eating with others isn’t possible, focus on eating by removing any potential distractions. This could be mindless scrolling on social media while eating or watching TV/Netflix/YouTube…etc. If you sit down to eat and do nothing else, there is a high chance you will not over do it. Try it and let me know how it goes.
Recognition of a negative relationship with food due to your emotions is something worth celebrating, then taking the necessary step to confront it at your own time in your own healthy way.
Scripture reminds us of the importance of tending to our inner world. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). When we pay attention to our emotions by acknowledging them rather than numbing or ignoring them, we can begin to make healthier choices, including how we relate to food.
Caring for your emotions is not a weakness; it is wisdom.
I wish you and your loved ones a peaceful end of the year 2025, and most remarkable and healthy 2026!
