“We talk about eating in response to specific emotions such as anger, boredom, guilt, and others, as well as eating triggered by specific negative thoughts (for example, ‘I am a loser,’ ‘I might as well eat because nothing I do ever succeeds anyway,’ ‘This is too difficult,’ and so forth). In this lesson, we want to examine another cue that triggers overeating; the social cue.
Looking at your life, when you’re on a trip or vacation, what restaurants do you stop at most and why? How susceptible are you to food advertisements on television? When did a billboard or commercial prompt you to head straight for a restaurant? Do you tend to eat more when you are alone, or when you’re in a public setting where there is a lot of food? Why? Take some time and answer these questions.
Rank the following social food settings from 1-10 with 1 being ‘the least tempting’ and 10 being ‘an almost certain overeating disaster’.
____You go in the break room at work, and a grateful client or supplier has sent over a giant cookie basket.
____At a small group social, the host’s dining room table is overflowing with rich, fatty, finger foods.
____The church has a big potluck dinner and each woman has rolled out a heaping helping of her best recipe.
____It’s late night and you’re restless, and a commercial for your favorite fast food restaurant (which is only a half mile from your house) comes on TV.
____The whole family is sitting down to a sumptuous Thanksgiving feast with all your holiday favorites.
____Your co-workers ask you to lunch, and they choose your favorite pizza buffet.
____You realize you need to run to the grocery store, and you’re starving!
____At a kid’s birthday party in a popular fast food restaurant, you notice your child’s ‘kiddie meal’ has been all but ignored, leaving you staring at a tray full of tempting fries, cheeseburger, and chocolate shake to boot!
You could make your own list of triggering social settings, the goal is to be mindful of the triggers and prepare ahead. There are many ways to prepare for such situations, but you have to be aware that it is an issue for you before you can take action.
Some ideas are, have a little healthy snack before going to any social eating situation, not going on an empty stomach can help monitor overeating. Enlist the help of a friend, talk to them instead of eating, connection is a big part of a social event; use it to your health! ”
By Steve Arterburn and Linda Mintle
This article is found at Newlife.com. The direct link is: http://newlife.com/food-in-social-settings. If you would like to read more articles like this, please visit: http://newlife.com/category/help-advice/abuse-and-addictions/body-image-and-weight-loss