Types of "eaters" - Which type are you???
I have decided to make my second blog post about "Types of Eaters" - there's no point in me throwing a whole bunch of health and fitness information at you without us first identifying the problem (and you need to admit you have one)...
I'm labeling myself as the "Just can't stop" (habitual) eater.
So now I've admitted to my terrible eating problem, lets have a look at what yours might be...
Are you an "emotional" eater?
Emotional eaters are the ones who buy a chocolate on the way home from a bad day at work. Typically, they consume food to "celebrate" when they feel happy, or to "mope" when they are sad. The what, how and when of eating relates back to their feelings... they try to satisfy the emotion with food in the moment.
Habitual eaters are the ones who eat unhealthy foods based on the "just once" excuse. Typically, they like to have routine and some kind of structure and they do know how to eat correctly and exercise regularly but they can be hindered by daily pressures and other constraints. These are also the type to eat when they aren't even hungry... just because they are used to it. The issue that arises here is that it stops you from generating a normal appetite and eating according to schedule.
My tip: Personally, what has helped me is making sure I do my meal preparations on a Sunday for the week so all my meals are ready to go - I'm also forced to eat them to avoid wastage leaving not much room to cheat. I also try and set my times during the day to eat each meal.
Are you an "external" eater?
External eaters are the ones who are easily influenced by marketing. Typically, they are influenced by visuals of foods - seeing causes the person to eat. These appealing visuals begin thoughts in the brain that they need to eat - even when they don't need to eat. The pressure or desire to overeat is generated by these external influences as it feels like they speak to you personally.
My tip: Try and distract yourself so that the craving for these foods will go away. Also avoid these aisles in the shops because what you don't bring home, you won't eat (out of sight, out of mind). If I'm really craving something and it is not going away then I try and find a healthy alternative i.e sorbet instead of ice cream.
Critical eaters are the "all or nothing" type... they know how important nutrition is so they dedicate themselves to the point of being obsessive - this makes it really difficult to stick to it consistently. When they are on their diet, they are VERY good but when they are off, they are VERY bad and often jump between eating everything in site to "6 week juice detox" dieting.
My tip: You cannot be this set in your food ways. Try and balance yourself out in terms of cheats to healthy meals in a controlled way. If you do slip up, don't focus on it and give up completely - just restart right there and then.
Sensual eaters are the ones who enjoy and appreciate food until the very last bite. Typically, they take their time eating their meals, relishing in new foods but then tend to be a "picky" eater. Basically they will try anything at least once and find pleasure in eating instead of making responsible food decisions.
My tip: If you want it, then have it... but in a controlled portion. For example if you see a dessert on the menu that you really want to have then pick a healthy main and share the dessert with your partner so you don't eat as much of it but you still get to taste it.
Are you an "energy" eater?
Energy eaters are the ones who eat for a quick fix of energy. Typically, they choose healthy quick snacks to eat for a burst of energy but then often overindulge. Healthy snacking is a really good thing but if this becomes too often then it can also be counter productive. It is important to understand when the body is hungry and needs fast acting foods but make sure it is within the calorie consumption the body requires.
My tip: If these cravings are every now and again then snacking is okay - but if you notice that it is happening frequently then you need to have a look at your eating habits and spread your meals out better so that your body does not get to the point where it requires refueling with snacks constantly.
Conclusion...
So I bet when you started reading this you probably rolled your eyes or thought to yourself you don't have an eating problem... or maybe you already knew you had a problem but needed some clarity on what it is.
Having read through all the options above, I'm sure at least one has stuck in your head and you have identified yourself as a "_______ eater". I'm leaving it open so you can fill it in - I think you should say it out loud - this means you are admitting that THIS is your eating problem.
This problem only makes you human and it is definitely fixable. Each of us may have different issues but this blog is about being able to grow stronger and find support on your health and fitness journey. We need to aim for balance and not perfection!
It's time to change the habit of eating the wrong foods in the wrong amounts at the wrong times... It's time to learn about nutrition, controlled portions and calorie awareness... and incorporate this into your life. It's time to feel in shape and have comfort in your clothes - you do not have to be perfect...
BUT it's time to get healthy for yourself.
- Shan
 |
| https://www.healthymummy.com/how-to-avoid-emotional-eating-2/ |
My personal eating issue is that I cannot stop once I start - if I open a big bag of chips, I will eat until the whole bag is finished, same goes for a slab of chocolate, a tub of ice cream, a milk tart... I honestly have absolutely no self control and it all starts with that first little bite/taste/nibble. "Just one" does not exist in my vocabulary... Instead I have had to adopt the phrase "no thank you" - better to not taste it at all than to indulge and crave a lot more of it for the rest of the day.
I'm labeling myself as the "Just can't stop" (habitual) eater.
So now I've admitted to my terrible eating problem, lets have a look at what yours might be...
Are you an "emotional" eater?
 |
| http://www.achievehb.com/what-women-really-want-at-the-gym/ |
My tip: An article I've read said that these types of eaters should keep a food journal - you document what you eat and how you felt when you eat it. This helps to identify what makes you eat and aware of which emotions you need to deal with in a different way - rather than "eating your feelings".
Are you a "habitual" eater?
 |
| http://www.istockphoto.com/za/photos/eating-chocolate |
Habitual eaters are the ones who eat unhealthy foods based on the "just once" excuse. Typically, they like to have routine and some kind of structure and they do know how to eat correctly and exercise regularly but they can be hindered by daily pressures and other constraints. These are also the type to eat when they aren't even hungry... just because they are used to it. The issue that arises here is that it stops you from generating a normal appetite and eating according to schedule.
My tip: Personally, what has helped me is making sure I do my meal preparations on a Sunday for the week so all my meals are ready to go - I'm also forced to eat them to avoid wastage leaving not much room to cheat. I also try and set my times during the day to eat each meal.
Are you an "external" eater?
External eaters are the ones who are easily influenced by marketing. Typically, they are influenced by visuals of foods - seeing causes the person to eat. These appealing visuals begin thoughts in the brain that they need to eat - even when they don't need to eat. The pressure or desire to overeat is generated by these external influences as it feels like they speak to you personally.
 |
| http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/woman-passes-an-advertisement-outside-a-fast-food-outlet-on-january-7-picture-id159067309 |
Are you a "critical" eater?
 |
| https://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/student-bunker/snacks-for-students/ |
Critical eaters are the "all or nothing" type... they know how important nutrition is so they dedicate themselves to the point of being obsessive - this makes it really difficult to stick to it consistently. When they are on their diet, they are VERY good but when they are off, they are VERY bad and often jump between eating everything in site to "6 week juice detox" dieting.
My tip: You cannot be this set in your food ways. Try and balance yourself out in terms of cheats to healthy meals in a controlled way. If you do slip up, don't focus on it and give up completely - just restart right there and then.
Are you a "sensual" eater?
 |
| https://www.pinterest.com/pin/338121884508911956/ |
Sensual eaters are the ones who enjoy and appreciate food until the very last bite. Typically, they take their time eating their meals, relishing in new foods but then tend to be a "picky" eater. Basically they will try anything at least once and find pleasure in eating instead of making responsible food decisions.
My tip: If you want it, then have it... but in a controlled portion. For example if you see a dessert on the menu that you really want to have then pick a healthy main and share the dessert with your partner so you don't eat as much of it but you still get to taste it.
Are you an "energy" eater?
 |
| http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/815847/6-snacks-to-beat-the-3-o-clock-slump-1 |
My tip: If these cravings are every now and again then snacking is okay - but if you notice that it is happening frequently then you need to have a look at your eating habits and spread your meals out better so that your body does not get to the point where it requires refueling with snacks constantly.
Conclusion...
So I bet when you started reading this you probably rolled your eyes or thought to yourself you don't have an eating problem... or maybe you already knew you had a problem but needed some clarity on what it is.
Having read through all the options above, I'm sure at least one has stuck in your head and you have identified yourself as a "_______ eater". I'm leaving it open so you can fill it in - I think you should say it out loud - this means you are admitting that THIS is your eating problem.
This problem only makes you human and it is definitely fixable. Each of us may have different issues but this blog is about being able to grow stronger and find support on your health and fitness journey. We need to aim for balance and not perfection!
It's time to change the habit of eating the wrong foods in the wrong amounts at the wrong times... It's time to learn about nutrition, controlled portions and calorie awareness... and incorporate this into your life. It's time to feel in shape and have comfort in your clothes - you do not have to be perfect...
BUT it's time to get healthy for yourself.
- Shan
Thats very informative and useful information for us.Thanks for sharing this post.
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