Emotional eating in Indian families: Strategies for coping

Emotional eating is a common phenomenon in many households and Indian families are no exception as food plays a central role in Indian culture, often associated with celebrations, comfort and love. However, when emotional eating becomes a coping mechanism for stress, boredom or other negative emotions, it can lead to weight gain and an unhealthy relationship with food.
In an interview with HT LIfestyle, Dr Rajiv Kovil, Head of Diabetology at Zandra Healthcare and Co-Founder of Rang De Neela initiative, talked about the challenges of emotional eating in Indian families and provided strategies for coping with this behaviour. According to him, one of the main challenges of emotional eating in Indian families is the cultural emphasis on food as a source of comfort and expression of love.
He said, “In Indian households, it is common for family members, especially mothers, to show affection and care through cooking and serving delicious meals. This can create a deep connection between emotions and eating, making it difficult to separate the two. Additionally, the availability of delicious and high-calorie Indian snacks and sweets can contribute to the habit of using food to cope with emotions.”
Dr Rajiv Kovil suggested:
Dr Rajiv Kovil asserted, “Emotional eating in Indian families presents a unique set of challenges due to the cultural significance of food. However, by recognizing the behavior, developing healthy coping mechanisms, creating a supportive environment, practicing mindfulness, and meal planning, and seeking professional help, individuals can overcome emotional eating and cultivate a healthier relationship with food and emotions. By adopting these strategies, Indian families can foster a positive and balanced approach to eating and overall well-being.”