Do you want the brownie...or is it a hug you need?

Ever since I started Weight Watchers, I have been very health conscience in my food choices. I have read and read articles on good nutrition, excercise and slews of articles that try to explain why we eat like we do.

 Many people struggle with emotional eating — when we reach for food because of the way we feel, not because we're hungry — from time to time. The key is knowing the difference between real hunger and emotional cravings, and learning how to control them.

Why do we choose what has become to be known as "Comfort Foods?"  These foods help maintain positive feelings or soothe us. When we're in a bad mood, dishes like macaroni and cheese give a quick bump of euphoria, similar to a hug from a loved one. Research has shown that fatty or sugary foods can trigger the release of “feel good” chemicals in the brain and cut the level of stress hormones. Mood also determines what we crave. Happy folks in the study preferred somewhat healthier foods, such as pizza or steak. People in sad moods were much more likely to reach for sugary, fatty foods such as ice cream, cookies or a bag of potato chips because they were looking for a quick way to perk themselves up emotionally.

Every potato chip and candy bar we eat is basically mainlining fat, salt and sugar. The phrase “a minute on the lips, forever on the hips” rings on hollow ears when you are feeling down and out. What matters is jolting yourself out of the dumps.

One thing you can do is to indulge with a small amount. Another thing is to have a hot food you like. Hot foods are generally more healthy (except maybe french fries) and they can be satisfying enough to short-circuit the craving. Even pizza, if it’s made with a thin whole-wheat crust and you skip the meat and add a few veggies, can be nutritious .

The basic strategy is to not deprive yourself.