7 Rules To Stop Emotional Eating At Night

By Jackie Wicks, PEERtrainer co-founder


2.    No leftovers hanging out in the refrigerator. 

What is your first thought??  How could she be recommending no leftovers???  I have to have leftovers, it’s the only way I can get through my week and make sure we always have food for everyone. 

I grew up in a house where there were never “leftovers” in the fridge. I was raised by a single mom and things like meat, or fish were bought in very small quantities.  If she made a casserole, the 2nd half was going straight to the freezer for another night’s dinner.   She served food on a plate and whatever was there was what we ate.  There wasn’t a big casserole dish for 2nd and 3rds, it was restaurant style, and whatever you were served is what you got. 

Do I sound like I’m being harsh?  What will happen if there aren’t leftovers hanging out in the fridge?  You won’t eat them unless you’re absolutely hungry.  It takes more time to prepare something from the freezer and if you’re hungry you’ll do it. 

Remember, I’m giving you rules to make things easier for you TO NOT EMOTIONALLY EAT and if things take more time, that might be just enough time for you to take to take a breath, or focus on why you’re upset.  The space that you create for yourself between the emotions and your reaction is critical.  This is a rule that helps create more space.  When you have that space, you have a lot of time to make a better decision.

Next Page: Rule #3

---