Health Topics for Nutrition

Eating triggers

Most of us experience eating triggers everyday. It may be the smell of coffee brewing in the morning, or an apple pie commercial on television, or the sight of golden arches as we drive home from work. Eating triggers are everywhere. They cause your mouth to produce saliva and your stomach to begin secreting juices important to digesting food.

The number of eating triggers we are exposed to everyday makes it tough not to overeat, because these cues can send us straight to the refrigerator or pantry for a snack.

So, what can a person do to help reduce the risk of overeating? One solution is to avoid the triggers as much as possible. For example, limit the time you spend in front of the television, or get up during commercials and leave the room. A healthy benefit is to exercise during commercials. Do a few stretching or toning exercises.

Identify your strongest triggers to see if they are associated with particular emotions or times of day. Keep an eating diary. List when, where, what, and how much you eat, and why the food was eaten.

Boredom, depression, anxiety, nervousness, and loneliness can also trigger unhealthy eating habits. Try to deal with these emotions in ways other than eating. For example, call a friend, go for a walk, read a book, join a recreational club, or participate in a hobby you enjoy.

For more information, contact a registered dietitian.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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