It’s been a super busy couple of weeks, and when I get a little busy I like to procrastaeat. Note, ‘procrasteat’ means avoiding doing the stuff you should be doing and then raiding the fridge out of boredom.

I know others who also procrastaeat, or stress eat, or eat when they’re angry or frustrated.

Why do we do it?

When we’re feeling down, food – particularly comfort food that’s stacked with sugar – stimulates a lovely hormonal cocktail release from your brain of all the fun and happy hormones. So we get a nice little kick that lasts for a while, and then we go back for more … and more … and more.

And sometimes we just have a really sh*t day and think ‘f*ck it, I’m going to Maccas and ordering a super-sized everything.’

Here’s a few tips that might help you avoid emotional eating.

1. Out of sight, out of mind

If you don’t buy the crap comfort food, then it’s not in your cupboard or your fridge, so you can’t eat it.

If you’re the type of person who gets tempted in the supermarket though, you could:

• take someone with you to the supermarket who will give you a rap over the knuckles if you even reach for the chocolate
• shop online – it’s a good way to avoid the spontaneous shop
• turn it into a game – write a list of the things you actually need, set a budget, then see if you can beat it while only buying the things on your list

2. Swap it out

Find another activity to stimulate the happy hormones – for example, put some music on and dance in your living room, go for a walk, clean something! Find the thing that helps you take our mind off whatever it is that’s causing you to reach for the snacks in the first place, and distract you from the pull to the fridge.

3. Find a healthy substitute

A bliss ball or a piece of fruit is a better option that anything with processed fats and refined sugars. They still contain sugar, so you’ll still get a hit of happy hormones, but at least you’re not putting crap in your body.