God created us with two empty spaces: our stomach and our heart. He allows us to choose what will fill them. Our choices can be life-giving or life-draining. It’s important to know your EET. Not your EKG or EEG, but your EET—your “Emotional Eating Triggers.”
I wonder how many times we feel hungry for food when, in reality, we are hungry for God. We try and fill our hearts by filling our stomachs with food even though we are not hungry. And at other times when we “feel” hungry, we are thirsty. This thirst could be for physical water or living water that only Jesus can give. May we take the time to discern what is really happening!
In this life we are faced with many challenges, and can feel overwhelmed. Curve balls can come from many angles so fast that we can’t immediately regroup. So we may choose the next easiest thing-we eat!
Regardless of the reasons, becoming more aware of our “emotional eating triggers” and not succumbing to them benefit us in various ways. We eat healthier. We eat appropriate portions. We choose better options that affect our emotional and physical health. We learn what is right and good for us!
So what are EET’s? They are those events in life that catch us off guard with an almost unconscious decision to eat rather than deal with the event more appropriately. When we prepare to be caught “off guard,” we may have time to ask questions, such as, “Am I really hungry? If not, why am I about to eat this?” Preparation aids in choosing a better response.
Photo by Trang Doan from Pexels.
Examine this list of EET’s. What do you think? Do you agree? Disagree? Have some to add?
Tired (not feeling strong enough to make good eating choices, so I succumb to what’s in front of me)
Angry (I’m so mad, and I don’t care, so I’m going to eat this anyway!)
Lonely (feelings that no one cares, “…but my food can soothe me”)
Sad (hurting; brain disengaged)
Happy (feeling good; brain disengaged)
Frustrated and feeling stuck (“I don’t know how to move from this place. Oh well, I’ll just eat it away”)
Sin (when we know we are doing things our own way!)
Greed (too many choices-brain disengaged)
Stress (disengages brain to pushes towards whatever relieves stress)
Holidays (the argument of, “I should be free to eat whatever. I want to celebrate!”)
Social gatherings (just because someone else can eat “that,” it doesn’t mean that I can)
Just because I want to (I think we all have experienced this!).
Obviously this list is not exhaustive, but can help get us thinking before we sabotage our health. For me, it depends on the circumstances at the time. A recurring trigger for me is feeling tired; divine power not engaged. Or I allow the enemy to make me feel that I am missing out, that I deserve to have “that “thing!
A memorable EET episode came at a time when eating lunch with a friend and I became politely full. But then I saw the server go by with peach pie a’ la mode. I said to my friend, ”I want that!” She was a good friend and said, “No you don’t.” I really did, but she helped me out, and I let it go.
As you read the list of EET’s, which ones trigger you the most these days? Why these? Is there something that you need to do about them? What is your emotional health trying to tell you? The faster my life pace, the harder it is for me to hear what my soul needs. In these times, I need to pay more attention to me—and God.
I believe EET’s could be a major cause of our health problems today, both emotional and physical. The more emotional eating, the greater the craving. The greater the craving and poor eating, the more health problems develop.
Growing in honesty with ourselves and with God expedites victory, when attacked by an EET. We will call out our EET’s and seek ways to defeat them. Honesty with ourselves is a friend given to us by God. He knew we would need this friend in navigating life on planet earth.
I thank God for Romans 7:25: “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” He delivers over and over from whatever ensnares us. Because we are in Christ, we are never trapped. He is our victor every time. Dare we trust and cling to Him to do what only He can do. Jesus, our overcomer can free us from the magnetic pull of EET’s. May we experience His life-giving power of wisdom and self-control. Thank God for our freedom, comfort and victory through Jesus Christ! And we get to enjoy good food too!!
Skip McDonald is an author, speaker, nurse and resource specialist for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship—a college campus ministry. Skip has a passion for wholistic living in body, soul and spirit. She champions mental and emotional health, notably in the faith community. As a psychiatric nurse and Mental Health First Aid Instructor, she brings a wealth of experience. She is currently writing several mental health Bible studies, looking at Scripture through the lens of mental and emotional health. She is the founder of Integrative Grace, LLC, a discipleship ministry and Freedomsize Worship Fitness, LLC.
Skip is the author of “Christ, My Life-The Great Exchange,” “The Garden of My Heart” and “And She Lived Happily Ever After.” She resides in Smyrna, GA serving with InterVarsity in the southeast. She can be contacted through skipmcdonald.org.
