Every person has different eating habits, and those habits can be healthy or unhealthy. Unhealthy habits can lead to health conditions, such as obesity and cardiovascular disease, while healthy eating habits can lead to weight loss and a healthier body.
There are 4 types of eating habit that affect how much and what you eat: Fuel eaters, Fun eaters, Emotional eaters, Fog eaters. The type that you fall into can be a key factor in your overall health, says Dr Michaelides.
Fuel eaters – This type chooses and eats foods that are nourishing for the body, with a goal of giving the body energy and boosting health, rather than eating for emotional or other reasons. It’s considered the “healthiest” of the four eating habits and may be how we should be eating 80% of the time, Dr Michaelides notes.
They also have the healthiest diets and are most likely to exercise each day, Dr Michaelides adds. Interestingly, Noom found that more than a third (35 per cent) of fuel eaters love to ‘fun’ eat when they catch up with family and friends.
The most common form of eating disorder is binge eating, and it’s linked to a number of physical symptoms. For example, binge eaters often feel very hungry, have difficulty feeling full after a meal, and may have episodes of excessive eating. They may also develop feelings of guilt or anxiety over their eating patterns.
These behaviors can be harmful to health and cause serious complications in individuals who are already sick, or have a medical condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. They may also increase the risk of developing other medical conditions, such as heart disease or stroke.
Whether you are fuel eater, fun eater, or an emotional eater, you can improve your habits by learning more about how you eat and what triggers them. By making small, daily changes to your habits based on psychology-based research, you can create healthier, more balanced ways of eating that can help you lose weight and keep it off.
You can also work on your habit of mindlessly eating without noticing what or how much you’re eating, known as fog eating. This can occur when you’re not paying attention to your body’s needs and your hunger cues, and may be a result of distractions, such as television, internet surfing, or talking to others.
It’s also important to be aware of the amount of food you are eating, and how quickly your brain registers that you’re satisfied. When you’re conscious about your eating, you’re more likely to eat less and make better choices when you’re at the grocery store or dining out.
Eating consciously can be difficult, but putting your fork down between bites and thinking about what you’re eating can help you eat more mindfully. By doing this, you’re more likely to notice when you’re getting full and avoid overeating.
You can also identify when you’re prone to craving certain types of food, and develop strategies for coping with these triggers. For instance, if you often crave sweets, try to make healthier treats at home that you can enjoy on a regular basis. This could include cutting back on sugary soda or choosing low-fat milk over whole milk or fat-free yogurt.
