In the beginning man ate for survival. But eating is a much more complex issue today. With rising rates of obesity and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, for many Americans eating has become a disease.

So where does all this get started? When we tie food to our emotions. Many of us still cherish that favorite meal Mom would make us for our birthdays. Other foods may stimulate bad feelings, like the liver and onions you'd wrap in your napkin, even though you knew you would be punished.

Food is a very complex issue for many of us. Think about this: When was the last time you ate because you were really hungry and for no other reason? We eat when we socialize, when we're at a ball game or the movies, when we're bored, depressed, or even angry. And sometimes when we're are hungry.

The only way to have a good relationship with food is to understand what things lead you to eat. Really look at what you are eating and how you feel when you eat. Keep a written record of the emotions and events surrounding your food choices and intake. At the end of the day, look at what you've written and decide on one or two changes you can make to have a better relationship with food.

Food should be enjoyable while it nourishes our bodies. But food should not be a replacement for love, companionship, or understanding. If you find you are eating in response to your emotions, try to "treat" your emotional state with healthier alternatives like exercise, meditation, hobbies, time with friends, or directly resolving the problem that has led you to food.

For help in changing your eating behavior, contact a registered dietitian or an eating disorder specialist in your community.

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