Are You Comfort Eating and Don’t Even Know It? Here’s How I Broke Free

(And You Can Too)

It’s 11pm. You’re knackered, stressed, and before you’ve even realised, that packet of biscuits has vanished. Sound familiar? You’re not alone – comfort eating is one of my biggest battles, even as a daily runner, tackling the world! On my epic mission to run 40,075 km and raise £1,000,000 for children's causes with the Runpreneur Challenge, I’ve learnt that resisting temptation takes more than just willpower. Let me share what really works.

Why I Struggle with Comfort Eating (And What I’ve Learnt)

You might be thinking, “Kev, you run every day – surely you’re immune to bad food habits?” Far from it. Despite living a healthy life, my impulsive side (thanks, ADHD!) and a raging sweet tooth meant comfort eating could easily derail me. The highs and lows of entrepreneurship — big wins or tough setbacks — both left me reaching for treats for celebration or consolation.

Key Takeaway: It’s not just about what you eat, but why you reach for it. Understanding your trigger is the first step to breaking free.

The Triggers: Highs, Lows, and Impulse

For me, extreme emotions — success or failure — have often been the catalyst for binging on sugar. Some turn to a pint when life gets tough; for me, it’s always been chocolate or cake. If you recognise yourself here, take a closer look: are you eating out of hunger, stress, boredom, or emotion?

Why Moderation Doesn’t Work (At Least For Me)

Some folks can enjoy the odd treat and walk away satisfied. Not me. Once I get a taste, it's off to the races until the plate’s empty. My solution? Eliminate sugary, processed foods altogether. I rarely cheat — maybe once a month — but when I do, I really cheat. It works better for me than constant, moderate temptation (and less guilt after!).

Building Barriers and Better Habits

The game-changer? Friction. If it’s not in the house, I can’t eat it. I stopped buying rubbish food in my weekly shop and swapped out regular snacks for healthier substitutes like fruit and nuts. Chocolate cravings? I go dark chocolate, occasionally dark chocolate peanuts – not perfect, but far better than demolishing a cake in one sitting.

Have a sweet tooth? Try these swaps:

• Sweets/biscuits/cake → Fruit or dark chocolate

• Crisps → Nuts

• Ice cream → Frozen yoghurt or bananas

The Power of Routine

Over time, I’ve built healthier habits and made cheat days rare treats, not daily routines. Using tools like the Zoe App helped me tailor my diet, understanding what my body actually needs. It’s not about perfection, but consistent progress.

My Challenge to You

Comfort eating is tough, especially when combined with an addictive personality or other mental health factors. But understanding your triggers, eliminating temptation, and redefining your approach to treats can make a world of difference. Try these steps:

1. Identify your triggers – when do you reach for comfort food, and why?

2. Admit if moderation just isn’t your thing – it’s okay to go all-in on avoiding temptation.

3. Supercharge your barriers – don’t buy what you don’t want to eat.

4. Find better substitutes – fruit, nuts, dark chocolate.

5. Be kind to yourself – cheat days happen; the goal is progress, not perfection.

My Runpreneur Mission: Going Beyond 4,292 Days, 40,075 km & £1,000,000 Raised for Children’s Causes

Every day, I’m running further, pushing harder, and raising more for children in need – while fighting my own battles with comfort eating. If this resonates with you, or you’ve got other habits you’re trying to break, let’s support each other on this journey.

Join the mission! Subscribe, share your storey below, and help me hit my goal: 40,075 km, £1,000,000 raised, and better lives for children across the globe. The farther I run, the more kids we reach – together.

Let’s stay positive, stay happy, and keep running towards a better future.

What are your comfort eating triggers – and how do you tackle them? Share in the comments!

Keywords: comfort eating, breaking bad habits, healthy snacks, ADHD and eating, addictive personality, ultra marathon fundraiser, child charity, eating triggers, healthy substitutes, Runpreneur Challenge, sugar cravings, running for charity, habit building, raising £1M for children, food addiction solutions

Inspired by my daily vlog journey at Runpreneur – saving children’s lives, one mile and one mindset shift at a time.