As the nights draws in and the festive season edges closer, many people begin to feel that familiar flicker of worry. For anyone who’s ever struggled with food, November can be the start of panic.
The night closes in, the weather gets rubbish. Invitations roll in. The mince pies, chocolate and sweet gifts appear on shop shelves. The calendar begins to fill with parties, late nights and last-minute everything.
If you find yourself starting to tense up about the weeks ahead — wondering how you’ll stay “on track” or worrying that you’ll undo your progress — you’re not alone. This is one of the most emotionally charged times of the year. And for many of us, that means one thing…
Emotional eating.
What Emotional Eating Really Is
Emotional eating isn’t just “eating your feelings.” It’s a deeply ingrained pattern of using food to manage discomfort — whether it’s stress, sadness, boredom or even low self-worth. And often, it’s happening beneath the surface before you even realise it.
In fact, in my Diet Dossier survey for the weights over, a staggering 96.8% of respondents identified as emotional eaters.
It’s not about lack of willpower. It’s about subconscious coping mechanisms — patterns that formed long ago and feel almost automatic.
So What Can You Do?
Start by getting curious — not judgmental. Ask yourself:
- Am I really hungry… or just tired?
- What am I looking for in this food — comfort, distraction, relief?
- Is food giving me a hug right now?
This awareness alone begins to loosen emotional eating’s grip. Because when you bring the subconscious into the light, you give yourself choice.
A Small but Powerful Technique
Try using a simple Cost–Benefit Analysis (CBA).
Next time you feel the pull to eat for comfort, grab a pen and jot down:
- What are the short-term benefits? (e.g. relief, pleasure)
- What are the short- and long-term costs? (e.g. guilt, discomfort, health setbacks)
This creates just enough space to pause and make a conscious choice — and sometimes, that pause is all you need.
Michelle’s Story: From Coping to Confidence
One of our wonderful Slimpodders, Michelle, knows this journey well. For years, she believed her weight defined her. Emotional eating had become part of her identity — until she found a new path.
Her transformation hasn’t been about dramatic diets or overnight change. It’s been about awareness. Empowerment. Acceptance. She’s stopped waiting for the “perfect” body to start living. And her relationship with food has shifted in a way that’s grounded and kind.
She shares her story beautifully in our podcast. It’s a powerful reminder that you don’t have to be “finished” to be free.
Over the next few weeks…
Let this be your gentle nudge: it is possible to enjoy this season without the overwhelm. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to be in control all the time.
But you can feel more at ease with food — and with yourself.
And we’re here to support you every step of the way.
1 thought on “Drive a Wedge Into Emotional Eating – Especially as the holidays Approach”
Thank you. This is powerful advice. I have identified that when I feel hungry in the afternoon, when I’m at work, that it’s really emotional eating. I’m tired. I don’t get this when I’m at home.
I like the idea of using the short cost benefit analysis, I will try this to pause.