10 Common Signs of an Overeating Challenge

It’s very easy to overeat in our culture of over-sized meals, McDonald’s on nearly every corner and high fructose corn syrup pumped into our foods. A great number of people worldwide are brought up on poor quality junk food that’s lacking in nutrient density. An assortment of highly salted food, intense amounts of sugar, and artificial flavor profiles have been created by the food industry to generate an addictive relationship to junk foods that can be intense and difficult to overcome.

A study published in Nature Neuroscience in 2010 evaluated rats that were given access to a high-fat diet. Researchers determined that “excess food intake can trigger changes in the brain, alterations that seem to create a neurochemical dependency in the eater,” according to Scientific American’s article on the study.

Eating, similar to other pleasurable behaviors like sex and drug use, triggers the release of dopamine. This is a neurotransmitter in the brain that makes you feel good. Dopamine acts as a positive-reinforcement reward for eating, so every time you eat, dopamine reinforces the behavior and eventually it becomes habitual.

But overeating is more than just a brain chemistry concern – it includes so many other factors that weave together to create the challenge of overeating that so many of us face. By the way, these are just some of the key principles that we dive into in our premiere online program for the public – Transform Your Relationship with Food™.

Consider these 10 common signs of overeating and see if they speak to you:

10 Common Signs of an Overeating Challenge

1. Eating fast
2. Eating without paying attention
3. Eating without pleasure or nourishment
4. Eating alone with a feeling of shame, guilt or embarrassment
5. Eating and feeling “heavy” afterwards
6. A preoccupation with your weight
7. A belief that even though you love food, it’s still your “enemy”
8. A history of weight fluctuations or a string of unsuccessful diets
9. A fear of appetite
10. A belief that life will be better if you can just control your appetite and lose weight

Taking Control of an Overeating Problem

If you think you have a problem with overeating, you can take back control of your life.

The Institute for the Psychology of Eating teaches a powerful body of work called Dynamic Eating Psychology and Mind Body Nutrition. These methods promote a positive relationship with food and remind us that food is a gift, not an enemy. Our work is designed to help people transform their relationship with food from one of dependence to one of fulfillment for body, mind, heart and soul.

Some of the key highlights of Dynamic Eating Psychology and Mind Body Nutrition include:

• The psycho-dynamics of control and willpower
• Pleasure chemistry and overeating
• Practical short-cuts for transforming compulsive eating
• The hidden connection between body image and overeating
• How work and corporate culture impact overeating concerns
• The spiritual psychology of nourishment and deeper hungers
• The influence of life transitions on compulsive eating
• The use of bio-circadian nutrition techniques for fast results

If you’re ready to start your journey on the road to a more fulfilling relationship with food, look at our trainings and see if they’re right for you.

Once you learn how to overcome an overeating problem, you can help others heal, too. We can teach you how to do so and certify you as an Eating Psychology Coach through our Distance Learning Program.

If you’re interested in learning more about our Eating Psychology Coach Certification Training, or any of our other offerings please sign up for our free information packed video series called “The Dynamic Eating Psychology Breakthrough” HERE or email us at info@psychologyofeating.com to learn more.