10 Reasons You Eat When You're Not Actually Hungry

I definitely over-eat when I'm bored. So I started doing jig saw puzzles whenever I feel bored and "hungry." I actually download them to my ipad so I always have one handy. So far it worked well. I haven't been eating while I work on a puzzle and between tracking and no longer grazing in the evenings I've lost 15 pounds. - 4/9/2014 12:19:32 PM

I suffer from all 10 of these! - 2/22/2014 3:04:18 PM

Eating when I'm not hungry is always my biggest problem, and those snacks tend to be the ones with the most sugar.

I also have to say that the picture of the taco at the top of the article is making me hungry. - 1/23/2014 12:59:23 PM

I'm really struggling with this issue and I appreciate the tips. My worst time is at night. I find myself wandering out to the kitchen to find something salty or chocolate. If I don't buy them, my husband does so there is always something there. I know I need to get better control over myself or go out somewhere every night where food won't become a temptation. - 1/14/2014 12:13:03 PM

I took 20 minutes to eat my food today at lunch time and I feel really full. I did not eat more than usual and I feel great. The tip from yesterday was to take longer, at least 20 minutes to eat. It works! - 1/2/2014 2:00:25 PM

I always want to eat before bed, i've found that chewing gum really helps me, especially the fruit flavored ones (i love juicy fruit). - 11/29/2013 3:34:25 PM

When I catch myself wanting to eat when I am not hungry, one of the first questions I ask myself is "am I thirsty?" I have found that many times, that is the culprit! - 10/7/2013 12:26:02 PM

For me, my issue is that I get an urge for something sweet before going to sleep. Just realizing that is probably why the scale will not budge. - 9/25/2013 1:54:23 PM

I eat when I'm not supposed to because I want a "taste". I love to cook, thus, I am always looking for new recipes, and watch cook shows continuously, making it difficult to keep off that ugly cellulite. UGH! - 9/25/2013 12:44:27 PM

Don't forget procrastination! I often eat to avoid doing something I don't want to do. Then I have two problems.

I also have eating trigger situations, like sitting at my desk grading. It provides distraction in a way that enables me to stay at the desk. But I need to work on that, either by eating something like cucumbers and celery or something healthy. If I let myself get up to walk around, then it's hard to make myself sit back down and focus on the work. Tough one. - 9/25/2013 11:23:50 AM

Pretty sure I fit into all of these at some point or another... - 9/25/2013 10:23:08 AM

boredom for me. - 9/14/2013 6:58:09 AM

I can't help but notice that the majority of these issues are emotionally driven.
To cope: Anger, sadness, stress, anxiety.
Boredom/Food is there: An underlying anxiety to do something, anything, other than have to just "be" with yourself and your feelings.
Other people eating/food pushers: Wanting to be liked or fit in.
Special occasion/I deserve it: Food equals love/celebration. Why do you deserve it? What else is happening in your life that you need to make up for with food?
Clean plate syndrome: Guilt.
If you can relieve the underlying stress inducing emotions, most of these issues take care of themselves. I know I had to take a good hard look at why food was such a reward and comfort before I could lose the weight. I had to ask myself all these questions. Food was definitely fulfilling an emotional role in my life. - 9/7/2013 12:03:59 PM

I agree with most of what is said here, but I won't agree with your comment that you should bring your own food to a celebration, unless you have a dietary restriction that the host doesn't know about. The reason being that it smacks of rudeness of what the host has prepared and honestly some would feel offense to the fact that a guest won't partake of the food that has been prepared. A good host would take into account that some guests won't want to eat certain foods and have certain restrictions. You are there as a guest and honestly having a bit of fat in one's diet, within reason, is actually good for a person and not as bad as some individuals make it out to be. If you don't want to have those sort of foods and you know that they are going to be served at a particular event, simply don't go or if you can't avoid going, don't eat certain foods. - 9/6/2013 1:27:48 PM

Most of these apply to me. My biggest issue is that I'm an "opportunistic eater" if I have the opportunity to eat, then I eat! - 9/6/2013 11:04:58 AM