As many of us know, it isn't always hunger that causes us to eat. Our moods and emotions can play a huge role in how vulnerable we are to food and in our ability to stay in control of our diet.

Feeling fatigued by our daily schedule and overwhelmed by responsibilities can spark emotional eating. Depression and loneliness are other causes — many people eat to fill a void or use food to keep themselves company. Some look to food to distract themselves from a traumatic event, such as the loss of a job, a death, or an unexpected breakup. But most who suffer from emotional eating find that it can't be traced to one specific reason — it's often simply a pattern of falling back on food when we need comforting in one way or another.

However, it's not impossible to change our behavior. There are other ways to deal with complicated emotions, and it's much healthier to process our feelings than to block them out with food. It's important to realize that, ultimately, we do have power over our actions. Eating is something that can be controlled and still be enjoyed. 

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