Friday, June 19, 2009

How to Overcome Overeating


While reading Eating Well magazine, I noticed an interesting article relating to my last post about food addiction and overeating. David A. Kessler, M.D., author of The End of Overeating, explains the reasons behind the American diet, how the food industry manipulates our senses and choices about food, and how to break free from the vicious cycle of unhealthy eating. I have not read the book, only the article and watched a video on Amazon.com, but it appears to clinically and scientifically illuminate and expose the reason we are compelled to eat the way we do. This book, however, seems to ignore the spiritual element, but his research and findings make it even more clear to me how the enemy uses food against us.

A three-pronged approach to battling food issues is most effective. First, it’s important to be knowledgeable of the physical body, understand the way your body processes food, and how food companies can manipulate your desire for food. Dr. Kessler’s book seems to effectively tackle these realities in his book.


Second, changing your mindset and your behavior is crucial to overcome food issues. Change your mindset by letting food be your slave rather than you being a slave to food. Does food occupy your thoughts? Are you constantly drawn to unhealthy snacks and sweets? Food is your fuel, not your friend. Behavior modification is necessary to either, remove you from a tempting situation, or change your habits and hang-ups with food. For instance, stay out of the junk and snack food aisle at the grocery store. Will not buying a bag of chips really kill you? By the way, warn your children changes are coming to your household. This lowers the amount of confrontation with whining children.


Finally, and most importantly, is prayer. God wants you to have a healthy relationship with food. He is your biggest cheerleader. Trust Him to help you by finding scripture on which to meditate that counteracts the darts of the devil. Jesus, tempted by Satan with food, used His Word to battle, so how much more so will we be tempted and overcome in this same regard. Food is not the answer to our crummy day; Jesus provides us comfort through his word, through the listening ear and reassuring voice of a friend, or through a therapeutic hobby, for instance. My favorite scripture is John 4:34, “My food,” said Jesus “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” Find a scripture, which speaks to your need, and use it when the enemy tempts you.

Be proactive and take charge of your eating with three simple, but challenging tasks:

1.. Be aware what you choose to eat and why you choose to eat and pay attention to hunger cues. Are you eating when you are hungry, sad, excited, etc.

2. Keep away from tempting situations for now. Stay out of the sweet or baking, or snack food aisle at the grocery store, for example.

3. Find a scripture and meditate on it daily, especially in tempting situations.

Share with me your stories of triumph or tragedy related to food. I love to hear from you.

God Bless,

Theresa Anderson

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