What Is An Eating Pattern?

Reviewed by Dr. Jessica Yu, Clinical Psychologist

An Eating Pattern looks at the underlying psychological factors that drive you to eat that may have nothing to do with hunger.

Long-lasting weight loss is both a physical and mental journey. Medication can support the physical side of things and make it easier to build healthy habits. The tools and techniques in this app are designed to help you overcome any psychological obstacles that stand between you and your wellness goals.

There are several reasons why we eat.

• Nourishing our bodies

• Pleasure

• Social pressure

• Routine

• Distraction

• Alleviating uncomfortable feelings

An Eating Pattern refers to repeated behaviors and triggers that contribute to eating more fuel than our body needs to nourish itself. Eating patterns are innate, they become a part of who we are. We likely develop these patterns as a result of biology, genetics, and learned behavior.

By addressing the “why” behind these patterns, we can learn how to change them. The pattern is what’s important, the eating is just how it manifests.

There are 5 Eating Patterns, and it’s normal to have more than one.

• Automatic

• Enthusiastic

• Anxious

• Escapist

• Uplifting

The content on the Home Tab of the app is tailored to your primary Eating Pattern. The evidence-based psychological skills you’ll find there can help you build new healthy habits, and adjust your patterns for long-term success.