Sometimes we eat because we are bored

There are lots of reasons why we eat outside of mealtimes. It could be we are disorganised, and don't get round to shopping. This can happen if you feel depressed. It can be when you feel under pressure, and you eat comfort food as a sort of self-medication. And sometimes it is because food is hyped these days as a fun activity. For example, a girls night in might involve marshmallows and chocolate. This is eating as something to do with our friends. And another is having nothing to do. Lots of us eat to fill up boring moments - waiting for a friend, in the house alone, doing the night shift. These final two sorts of eating are displacement activities - something to do in the absence of something more worthwhile.

What can we do instead. With all-day telly and the Internet, we have rather stopped having hobbies. I think the word has connotations of naff. However, having something interesting to do with your friends or when you are bored is hugely rewarding. Whereas now we eat chocs together, in the past we would have had knitting bees and sewing groups. The wonderful I knit London runs knitting groups where people stitch and bitch and learn and share interesting new techniques.

What might you enjoy? Here are some of the things I recommend to my clients.

Origami. Knot tying. Magic tricks. Learn a language. Knitting. Crochet. Sudoku. Crosswords. Puzzle books.

All of these are portable hobbies and sufficiently difficult to get you deeply absorbed. You can pack the stuff easily into your pocket or handbag too and take it with you everywhere. Develop a hobby to help you lose weight!

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