For some of us, emotional eating is a lifestyle.  We might turn to food not only when hungry, but when we are stressed out, bored, frustrated, and even hungry for love, appreciation, and acceptance.  We choose food to feed our emotions, and that often leads to unwanted weight gain, additional frustration, guilt, and unhealthy self-image.

Try using this EFT protocol:

On a scale 0-10, with 10 being as high as possible, identify your stress level.

Karate Chop: "Even though I feel so stressed out and overwhelmed, I love and accept myself deeply and profoundly."

"Even though I tend to comfort myself with food, I choose to feel good about myself anyway."

"Even though I crave attention and affection, and unconditional love seems to be in low supply these days, I accept all of my feelings, even the most conflicting ones, and I give myself permission to relax - I'm good enough.

Eyebrow: I comfort myself with food
Side of eye: So what?
Under eye: I'm so tense and stressed out
Under nose: I'm not perfect
Chin: I'm not even close to being perfect
Collarbone: Not good enough
Under arm: Why even bother?
Lower rib: I'm so upset with myself!
Top of head: What happened to my self-control?

EB: Oh, well... I don't have to perfect.
SE: I'm OK just the way I am.
UE: Oh, yeah? I gain weight even if I just glance at food!
UN: Maybe I can relax and enjoy life.
CH: Maybe I can eat only when I'm truly hungry.
CB: No, I can't!
UA: Yes, I will!
LR: I give myself permission to let go of all of my stress and anxiety.
TH: I already feel better! Good for me!

Take a deep breath and relax.  Check your level of distress again.  Did it go down?  Ideally, you want to bring it down to a zero.