Lights, Camera, Food! Many people explore inward to negotiate their possible food addiction and/or emotional eating triggers. Techniques that deal with emotional eating such as journaling, meditation, and music, are very effective; they have shown repeatedly to aid in personal growth and assist with weight loss. However, it's important to be aware of how external factors can contribute to a mental obsession with food; in particular, the media.

It's a Media Food Fight!

Media outlets and advertisements splatter food everywhere. On billboards, television, the Internet, books, newspapers, and magazines!

Is the media affecting your issues with food?

Critiques in the early-to-mid 20th century suggested that media weaken or restrict the individual's ability to act alone.

Memorable and lovable characters such as 'Toucan Sam', 'Tony the Tiger', or 'Hamburglar' are media friends from yore that helped us relate to their products and encouraged us to think happy thoughts while eating their food. For older audiences our media friends have become the beautiful people used to sell various food and beverage items so that we associate good times and beautiful people with drinking and eating!

Can't help but sing along?

"Buh duh bup baba - I'm lovin' it… "
"967-11-11 Call Pizza Pizza ..."
"Subway, Eat Fresh"
"Good, good whole wheat Shreddies"
"Always got time for Tim Horton's"

The media relies on these catchy melodies as a proven technique to reinforce consumers and keep their product at the forefront of your mind. Mass media affects how the audience thinks and behaves. Recognizing this will allow you to develop a broader range of coping mechanisms.

Slimband Suggests: Stop the Media Madness

When you are watching your favourite shows turn off the television during commercials, or hit mute!
Do not read coupons until it's time to go grocery shopping.
Keep yourself satiated by eating every 2-3 hours. If you are not hungry, you will be less likely to act impulsively to advertisements.
Change stations or turn off the radio when you hear the commercials about to start.
Instead of the radio, listen to your iPod.
Recycle flyers instead of keeping them in your home where they can tempt you.

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