How self-isolation affected eating behavior and how to deal with it.
There are some parallels in eating behavior that show how attitudes to food have changed on a global level. Let's take a closer look at these changes, and then move on to possible solutions.Changes in eating behavior while staying at home
A survey conducted in April 2020 in Russia showed that 80% of people have changed their eating habits since the start of quarantine in March 2020.
1. Increasing the number of snacks
2. Increased attention of women to food
3. Wider use of technology for the benefit of health
Global changes in eating behavior
1. Increased impaired eating behavior
Female survey participants experienced an increase in skipping meals (52.8%), overeating (80.9%), loss of control over eating (47.2%) during isolation.
2. Increasing the number of snacks, especially foods with a lower nutrient content
3. Increased need for stress management, especially for women
What experts recommend
The choice of food is a personal choice, which is influenced by many factors. Due to the emotional stress that occurred last year, many seem to have stopped listening to their body's physiological signals to eat.
We recommend that you start with curiosity, not judgment about your food and food choices. Criticizing your body, body signals, and food choices will affect your ability to listen to your body. Instead, you need to internally ask yourself how you feel, what you want, and what decisions you make before, during, and after a meal.
You need to be attentive to your personal hunger signals.
Watch out for these signals and feed yourself when you notice them. This strengthens the "trust" in your body. And the more trust you gain, the better your ability to hear your body's signals will be. People who find this style of eating difficult, so you need time.
Working from home gives us more time for daily self-care. We can use these breaks to take care of ourselves to our advantage by planning regular "time for ourselves" to recharge and relieve stress in various ways unrelated to eating.
Some people are good at eating by listening to their intuitive prompts, but if it forces you to eat constantly throughout the day, try experimenting with three meals a day or three meals a day plus a snack. Keep a diary of food, mood and hunger to see which meal time is best for you.
Result
Global restrictions have forced people all over the world to learn about their own eating behavior, since last year, dining at home was the norm for many. Regardless of whether you are interested in the idea of intuitive nutrition, periodic fasting or another way of eating, the most important thing that professionals advise is to find what works for you and rely on it.
If you or someone you know has developed an eating disorder as a result of pandemic stress, professionals recommend that you seek help in connection with your illness. Consider working with a nutritionist who will help you determine the plan that is best for you so that you can feel healthy and move forward.
