The Emotional Eating Detective

No judgment, just honest answers.

If you’ve ever stood in the kitchen at 9pm thinking, “Why am I even eating this?”, you're not alone.

That, my friend, is emotional eating. And it doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you. It means you're human.

So… what is emotional eating?

Emotional eating is when we eat to deal with a feeling, not because we’re physically hungry.
Stress, boredom, loneliness, habit… it all plays a role.

It’s not about willpower. It’s about coping.

And for women over 50, it shows up in sneaky ways, especially after a long day, a tough conversation, or when the house finally gets quiet and the fridge starts calling your name.

The one question that helps

Here’s a question to keep in your back pocket:

“What am I really hungry for?”

Sometimes it’s:

• Peace and quiet

• A break from thinking

• A little kindness

• Some company

Once you start asking, patterns start to pop up. That awareness is powerful. It helps you make a different choice—if that’s what you want.

Why this happens more after 50

Hormones shift. Our roles change. We carry stress differently. Sometimes food feels like the easiest (or only) comfort that’s always there.

And let’s be honest - diet culture hasn’t done us any favors. The more rules we’ve followed, the more guilt we’ve absorbed.

That’s why we don’t do guilt here. We do curiosity and compassion.

Try this next time a craving hits

Instead of fighting it, try this:

1. Pause. You don’t have to say no. Just wait a minute.

2. Name the feeling. “I’m tired.” “I’m irritated.” “I need a break.”

3. Pick a reset. A walk. A stretch. A few deep breaths. A text to a friend.

4. Then decide. Still want the food? Cool. Now it’s a conscious choice, not a reaction.

This isn’t about perfect choices. It’s about feeling more in control without being controlling.

Real talk

Emotional eating doesn’t make you weak. It makes you someone who’s been through some stuff and is doing their best to cope.

The goal isn’t to eliminate comfort eating entirely. It’s to build up your tools so food isn’t your only one.

And you don’t have to figure this out on your own.

Want more tips like this?
Check out the rest of our blog or explore our coaching program. We’ll help you build habits that actually fit your life and feel good doing it.