What is emotional eating and how do I know if I am doing it?
Emotional eating is when food is used to soothe, suppress, or manage uncomfortable feelings rather than to meet genuine physical hunger. It often happens during times of stress, boredom, loneliness, overwhelm, or as a way to relax or reward yourself.
A key mechanism behind emotional eating is the learned regulation of emotions. Over time, the brain associates eating with comfort, relief, or even safety. When an uncomfortable emotion appears, the brain may automatically suggest food as a solution, even if the body does not need energy.
You may be emotionally eating if you notice eating when you are not physically hungry, craving specific comfort foods, eating quickly or mindlessly, or feeling guilt or dissatisfaction after eating.
Emotional eating is not a personal failure. It is a learned coping response, and learned responses can be changed with awareness and support.
Evidence and research
Research in behavioural nutrition shows that eating behaviour is strongly influenced by emotional regulation patterns and conditioned responses, not hunger alone.
Common questions about emotional eating
If you are trying to better understand emotional eating, these are some of the most common follow-up questions people ask.
Why do I eat when I am not physically hungry?
This article explores why eating can happen even when your body does not need fuel, and how stress, fatigue, and habits play a role.
How do I tell the difference between physical and emotional hunger?
This article helps you learn the difference between emotional urges to eat and genuine physical hunger signals.
Why does emotional eating get worse in the evening?
This article explains why cravings and comfort eating often intensify later in the day.
Does emotional eating mean I lack willpower?
This article breaks down why emotional eating is not a discipline problem and what is actually happening in the brain.
What is an example of emotional eating?
This article gives clear, real-life examples of emotional eating so you can recognise the pattern without judgement.
How do you cure emotional eating?
This article explains why emotional eating is not something you "cure", and what actually helps reduce it over time.
What trauma causes emotional eating?
This article explores how difficult experiences can influence emotional eating patterns, without assuming trauma is always the cause.
Is emotional eating considered an eating disorder?
This article explains the difference between emotional eating and diagnosed eating disorders, and when it may be helpful to seek support.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Coach Alan is a qualified ITEC Level 3 Personal Trainer with over nine years of experience supporting adults with sustainable fat loss, strength training, and long-term behaviour change.
He is also a psychotherapist in training with the Irish Institute of Counselling and Psychotherapy (IICP), where his work is informed by evidence-based principles from exercise science, nutrition, and psychology. His approach focuses on realistic habit formation, emotional awareness, and non-pressurised lifestyle change.