Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Why Do We Eat More?

Today I wanted to share with you this "photo" article I found on Nutrition Nibbles' blog several weeks ago. The article described the seven reasons that we eat (or eat "more"). I agreed with every one of them, especially the ones that I highlighted in bold writing.



1. Time of Day

2. Sight of Food

3. Variety

4. Smell

5. Alcohol

6. Temperature (the colder, the more you eat!)

7. Refined Carbs



After reading this article I realized that I eat dinner around 6pm every night, but not because I'm hungry,but instead because I think I
should be hungry. Many times at 6pm I really am hungry, but just the other night I realized as I was fixing dinner I really wasn't hungry! I was simply fixing food because it was 6pm...dinner time, right?! This is where intuitive eating really comes into play. So instead of continuing to cook, I stopped, listened to my body, and finished preparing dinner about an hour later, once Nick and I were actually hungry!



The third one is "variety" and it indicates our need for a sweet dessert after a dinner, even despite eating a ton of food. This is so true for me. Even after eating a large meal I must have something sweet to follow! What I'm realizing, however, is that I don't need a large sweet, but instead a small piece of chocolate can actually do the trick. Of course I do have my ice cream on some nights too, but never a whole lot. I am usually satisfied with just a small scoop.


Sometimes I have two.....who doesn't?!




The fifth one is "alcohol"...need I explain? Whenever I drink too much (ummm, our party, for example) I always get the munchies! Alcohol just takes a hold of me and makes me lose all ability to be intuitive and to make smart food decisions. Not good. This is another reason why it's good to stick to one drink.



Question: Which of the above "reasons we eat more" do you associate with the most?



Thanks for reading everyone, and have a great day! I'm off to work ;)

27 comments :

  1. For me the main reason I eat more is boredom :)

    When I have nothing to do, I usually hit the fridge.

    Time also sometimes. I feel obliged to eat breakfast for example.

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  2. Great post! I'm definitely the time of day as well and look at the clock to figure out good times to eat!

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  3. Great post, Gina!!

    I think I sometimes eat based on the clock too....or in preparation for later...like, I won't have time to eat in a few hours, so I need to eat now. :)

    I also tend to overeat if I am tired or sleep-deprived.

    Great article! Have fun today - sounds like it should be great!

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  4. Sounds like an exciting day of training! You get to really test out the job! Have fun :)

    That's a great article. There are so many reasons we eat and only one of them is hunger/fuel. I often eat out of boredom or stress relief (phew! it's the end of the day. made it through all my to-dos.) Not a good thing to do, but a habit I have trouble breaking.

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  5. We've talked about the many hunger cues in my nutrition class. I agree with greekyog, and resonate with eating when I'm bored. A habit I'm trying to get rid of! Also, smell definitely gets me.

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  6. I am really bad about eating dinner right around 6:00, hungry or not. I just think, "Oh, it's DINNER time!"...and don't even think about whether or not I'm actually hungry!

    Glad you made it back to Pittsburgh (again)!

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  7. I do the same thing! I'm used to eating at certain times of the day whether I'm hungry or not ;-)

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  8. With 3 kids, I feel obligated to provide 3 squares a day at regular times...so often I'm not hungry at that time, nor is my husband. Especially dinner time - since he goes to the gym right after and doesn't want to eat a big meal before going. So I'm in a dilemma, is it more important to provide 3 regularly scheduled meals like I had growing up or let them eat small mini-meals every couple of hours like experts say is the better way to eat?! I know you don't have kids (yet) but interested in your opinion when you have time!

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  9. Glad you got to Pittsburgh safely! So fun that you get to be on your own for a while and with an intern! Ahh, I definitely remember what being an intern was like, haha. :-)

    Definitely agree with that list. I think it's easy for me to get into a routine like you and want to eat whether I'm hungry or not at a certain time. I also know that alcohol lowers your blood sugar, so that may be another reason why you get the munchies (also why it's dangerous for those w/ diabetes...can you tell I've been studying for the RD exam?!). :-)

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  10. Glad you made it safely!! I def eat because I think I shouuld...so I guess its habit. I trick my body into thinking its hungry, when really I have no need for food at the moment!!

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  11. yep- these reasons make so much sense. After my first year of college, I can definitely attest to the alcohol one- it makes me eat like i'm a starving child or something! I'll definitely check it out.
    & yay for getting to pitt safely, & in good time :)

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  12. The time of day and refined carbs do it for me. I'm so used to eating at certain times of the day that I have a hard time telling myself no. Refined carbs send me into a total spiral. Being tired is another biggie for me.

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  13. For me, it would be the sight of food...if there's food and it looks good, I'll most likely at least wanna nibble at it, no matter how full I am. Alcohol is not a problem for me, though, since I don't drink.

    Yay! I'm glad you're back safe and sound!

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  14. I am definitely guilty of the "time of day" one. But the other big one for me is "sight of food." The power of suggestion is indeed powerful with me - I can have no desire for ice cream until I see a commercial for a DQ blizzard, and then that's all I want! Kinda lame, no? Ha!

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  15. for me it is refined carbs! once I get the taste of something sweet...I want MORE! lol

    ohhhh and yup alcohol too...I don't make the best choices when I am tipsy lol

    love the new layout! =)

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  16. haha that was totally me last night. i wasn't even hungry just nothing else to do so i went ahead and made dinner. it's a good thing it took a long time because by the time i was done i was MORE then ready to eat!

    hahaha totally boss that intern around today girl. ;)

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  17. Gosh I know for me alcohol makes me want sweets! Even just after 1 glass sometimes.

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  18. I definitely have to say temperature. I totally (and unfortunately) have a winter weight and a summer weight. Winter time it's cold and I want to warm up with heartier foods. Summer times I want to look good and eat less -- plus it's hot and I eat a lot more fresh foods in the summer than winter.

    Just as an aside.. I am so thankful that I hate all alcohol -- I definitely know tons of people get into the alcohol trap and it really adds up those calories quickly!

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  19. Yes this is all so true! Alcohol of course for me lol. I also always need something sweet after every meal and once I start, I have a hard time stopping!

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  20. hmm I just commented but got an error- here goes again!
    Alcohol is the bad one for me! I definitely get the munchies after a few drinks, and bar food is SO unhealthy. I do take a glance at the side salad on the menu every time but can never justify paying $4 bucks for a little plate of lettuce (even though I just paid that much for a drink-ugh!)...
    I have been pretty good lately about moderating by picking low-cal drinks and not binging on the snack food.

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  21. Love the new look!!! looks so stylish and clean :) I couldn't agree more with the alcohol. I definitely want to eat more when I have a drink. Also if going to long without eating or getting too hungry and I want to eat everything! I try to stick to eating from 3-7 on a scale of 1-10 :) Hope work is going well!

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  22. My body's a bit weird-- I dont' realyl get hungry that often but I LOVE/always eat! I think I'm just programmed to eat at certain times

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  23. smell and boredom are the two that are more of a weakness for me. even if im not hungry.. something really sweet and dessert like sets me off and i get ravenous lol. sometimes a good thing tho haha

    xoxo

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  24. I read your comment on Naomi's blog that you didnt agree with my thoughts on dairy. Just wanted to let you know I saw it. For me, dairy is not a part of my life and I think most people would benefit from a reduction or elimination in it, but those are my opinions and what works for me. We all must do our own research and follow our own path.

    Have a great nite!

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  25. I love this list. At one time or another I've let one or more of these influence a bad eating choice.

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  26. oo pittsburgh!?!?! I grew up there... I couldn't believe I saw "Giant Eagle".. oh the memories. I didn't know but am not surprised they now employ an RD... hope you enjoyed your day!

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  27. I would like to exchange links with your site www.blogger.com
    Is this possible?

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