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Why is food my friend and comforter?

Juliann4k9
Juliann4k9 Posts: 36 Member
edited February 1 in Motivation and Support
Why is food my best friend? Why can't I wrap my mind around this? Really really tired of fighting this for the last 25 years.

Replies

  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,150 Member
    Don't know if it's this way for you, but for me it's because food doesn't judge.
  • lilred806
    lilred806 Posts: 195 Member
    Because it's yummy.
  • kem05
    kem05 Posts: 97
    Food is not a friend, it's not a comforter, it's not an enemy or even an acquaintance lol Food is fuel to keep our bodies functioning. That's it.

    Doesn't mean we can't enjoy it! Put in what you want to get out. It's taken me a long time to get my head around this.... That family size block of chocolate that I thought was comforting me, didn't make me feel any better when I was diagnosed with insulin resistance. The third helping of lasagna didn't cheer me up when I couldn't catch my breath after a single flight of stairs!
  • HappyMeLovely
    HappyMeLovely Posts: 134 Member
    I understand where you're coming from. For the past 10 years I have eaten my sorrows away, rarely expressing my emotions or confiding in a friend. When I remove that crutch, I feel extreme emotions that feel hard to control because it is like my coping mechanism (although an unhealthy one) is no longer there. One way that I have been developing to overcome that issue is by reaching out to friends more often, allowing myself to feel the emotions (really feel them without pushing them down). I've also started to ride my stationary bike when I am feeling stressed, anxious, or munchy. I am not sure why I started eating instead of dealing but I am working hard not to start it up again. That's why I am always open to new friends, because my previous relationships are going to take longer to change. Also, some foods release chemicals in your brain that make you "feel better" such as carbs but we all know that is only temporary. Feel free to add me.
  • Shesaid_destroy
    Shesaid_destroy Posts: 128
    Not to play 'couch psychologist' or anything but i think it has a lot to do with the wiring of our brains since being babies.
    From day 1, the greatest extacsy is to be held by a loving parent and having our hunger quenched.
    The idea itself of 'feeling full'... Who doesn't want to 'feel full' and not contemplate or fall into the 'void'?
    I know i behave exactly like you describe... I eat to feel numb, i eat like drug addicts stick needles in their arms. And like you, my problem is i just cannot stop eating. Junkies can and should give up heroin, we cannot give up food.
    I think i will have to find my way to healthy eating everyday for the rest of my life. Just like an addict remains an addict, even after being clean for many many years.
  • VioletNightshade
    VioletNightshade Posts: 197
    It's easy to find pleasure and comfort in an inanimate object that you like.

    When was the last time your couch called you names? When was the last time your bed talked bad about you behind your back? I bet it's been a long time since your favourite shirt went out with all your other favourite clothes and conveniently forgot to invite you, hasn't it? (yes, I have a very vivid imagination. I'm currently imagining a very colourful laundry rave with music and lights) If it hasn't been a while, you might want to see a doctor... Moving on!

    Inanimate objects cannot reject nor betray you, and we're programmed to enjoy the tastes of certain foods and to come back to the ones that satisfy us best. It's natural. In times of famine it's fine, but chances are you've a room in your house with lots of food in it, so you're not experiencing famine right now. In order to avoid certain unfavourable situations, like being chubby, we have to go against that natural urge to nom while the nommin's good because it's likely the nommin's going to be good for some time, and over-nomming translates to an oversized waistline, or learn to fill up first on things like veggies that take up a lot of room without being calorie-bombs. (I've been up for 36 hours, so forgive me if I'm rambling or not making any sense)

    I'd say it's most likely because it's human/animal nature to like food. We feel better when we've been nourished. It allows us to function properly and not have that gnawing "OI!! Yeah, you with the mouth! Why haven't you put anything in that mouth for a while??" feeling. There are multiple theories about why we like fattier foods and such, but I fear I may bore everyone so much I get kicked off the internet or just be saying more things you lot already know and end up waking up with keyboard forehead if I don't force my insomniac self to go to sleep now. That's my best guess, anyway. I could be completely off...
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