Why Do You Eat Too Much? 8 Hidden Reasons: From Habits To Medical Issues

March 8, 2018

Eating is one of the activities that are both essential and pleasurable. But when we overdo it, our body suffers in more than one way. Being overweight or obese is linked to many health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and even an increased risk of certain types of cancer.

So, why do you eat more than your body needs? Below are a few possible reasons why you do it:

1. You eat when you are bored or sad.

Sometimes, our emotions, such as sadness or boredom, make us eat when we aren't hungry. And we are more likely to indulge ourselves with unhealthy foods, such as pizza, donuts, or ice-cream when we eat under the influence of our emotions and feelings.

2. You don't eat enough throughout the day and try to catch up in the evening.

If you leave home in a hurry to get to work without having breakfast, and then you are too busy to have a normal meal during a lunch break, you probably feel starved by the time you get home. That's when you are more likely to try to compensate for the hungry hours and fill up on anything you find in your fridge. This eating style can seriously impair your metabolism, so try to find time to eat normal meals. The bigger portion of your daily calories should be consumed during the first half of the day.

3. You are in the habit of eating in front of a TV or computer.

When you eat watching the news on TV or funny cat videos on the Internet, you don't really pay attention to how much you eat. Also, the habit of watching TV when eating can make you eat when you're not hungry if your favorite TV show is on, just because you're used to eating when watching something interesting.

4. Eating a lot is part of your family tradition.

If the table always looks so full like it's going to break during family dinners, it can explain your habit of eating a lot. In some families, it's just a tradition to eat a lot and cook so many dishes it seems to be impossible to try them all, especially for Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays, and other celebratory occasions.

5. There are plenty of foods to choose from.

When we are faced with a wide choice of foods, we want to try everything. If you eat small amounts of many different foods and dishes at a time, you may underestimate the total amount of food that you consume.

6. You eat too fast.

You may be too busy to eat slower, chew food thoroughly, and simply take time to savor your meal. But you shouldn't eat your meals like you are at an eating contest; eat slowly enough to give your stomach the time to signal the brain that you're full.

7. You have binge-eating disorder.

If you have frequent episodes of binge-eating, feel like you lose control during these episodes, and feel bad about yourself afterward, these may be symptoms of a binge-eating disorder. Binge-eating is a legitimate mental health issue, and if you think you may be affected by it, don't hesitate to discuss it with your doctor.

8. You aren't getting enough sleep.

During sleep, your body replenishes its energy reserves. When you are sleep-deprived, you are more likely to overeat to try to compensate for the lack of energy. You're also more likely to crave sugary and fatty foods after not sleeping well and long enough.

Source: HealthGuidance, redbook, Psychology of Eating

This article is solely for informational purposes. Do not self-diagnose or self-medicate, and in all cases consult a certified healthcare professional before using any information presented in the article. The editorial board does not guarantee any results and does not bear any responsibility for harm that may result from using the information provided in the article.