Emotions & Eating — How to Use
Use this worksheet to gently explore how emotions, thoughts, physical needs and eating experiences may connect for you.
Begin by noticing which emotions make eating more difficult and which seem to change your appetite or interest in food.
Think about what tends to happen before a difficult eating moment. Consider what was happening around you as well as what was happening inside you.
Then notice the thoughts that tend to appear.
The worksheet separates two important questions: What does my body need? and What does my emotional self need?
Your answers may be different. Your body might need nourishment, rest, warmth or reduced sensory input, while emotionally you might need reassurance, company, privacy or understanding.
Consider what helps you feel safer or more settled.
Finally, identify one coping strategy you could try alongside appropriate support.
The purpose isn't to judge your emotional response to food. It is to understand your patterns with greater curiosity and compassion.
