Emotional Eating and Binge Eating Disorder (Weight Wise eNewsletter)

What is the difference between emotional eating and Binge Eating Disorder? Can I get help with my eating habits at Capital Health?

Emotional eating can be described as eating for comfort rather than nourishment or physical hunger. With emotional eating, a person will eat foods that give them pleasure to soothe negative feelings, such as stress, anxiety, anger, or sadness. Almost everyone uses food in this way, at some time or other.

However, emotional eating doesn't seem to achieve the same feeling of fullness as when eating to satisfy physical hunger. So, although emotional eating doesn't have to lead to overeating, it can, and sometimes does indicate a more serious problem called Binge Eating Disorder.

Binge Eating Disorder is an eating disorder that describes individuals who develop a habit of consuming more food than normal in a limited period of time. A binge is distinguished by a sense of losing control over eating and is typically associated with feelings of guilt, disgust and depression. It's eating beyond the point of fullness, even when not hungry.

If you feel that your eating habits indicate a possible eating disorder, see your doctor. Capital Health does have programs and services geared towards inpatient, outpatient, and transitional care of patients with eating disorders. For more information on eating disorders, call Capital Health Link at 408 – LINK (5465).

Contributing Clinical Experts:

Carlene Johnson-Stoklossa is a Registered Dietitian for Capital Health's Adult Weight Management Program and Bariatric Surgery Clinic

Dianne Drummond is an Eating Disorder Promotion & Prevention Specialist and Chair of the Regional Mental Health Promotions Committee for Capital Health

Disclaimer
Reviewed by Alberta clinical experts. Brought to you by HealthLink Alberta. Copyright.
This material is designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction and/or treatment. For more health advice call Capital Health Link at 780-408-LINK (5465) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In Alberta, call Toll-free: 1-866-408-LINK (5465)