Having a rapid shift in life circumstances, like what we're experiencing right now with the quarantine, social distancing, and working from home, is likely to lead to increases in chaotic, out of control eating, explained Kirsten Ackerman, MS, RD, CDN, who hosts the Intuitive Bites podcast. This can be especially true if you've restricted food intake or experienced feelings of food deprivation in the past.
You might be constantly thinking about what's in the pantry or the refrigerator, grazing throughout the day, stress eating, overeating, or working odd hours. You may feel too upset or unmotivated to implement the eating schedule or workout routine you used to follow. "Diet culture would invite you to blame yourself, the food, and the changes in your schedule for the chaos in your behaviour around food. I would invite you to blame the previous restriction and deprivation around food," Ackerman said. Show yourself compassion and patience in how you're coping with finding a new normal.