The document discusses why people eat beyond physical hunger. It notes that food is often connected to feelings like sadness, anxiety, anger, and boredom. The document provides forms for readers to reflect on their feelings and healthier alternatives to eating in response to emotions. It also includes lists of people who can provide social support and suggestions for developing healthy eating and fitness styles.

1. www.DiabetesFamilies.com
WHY WE EAT: BEYOND HUNGER
Food is such an important part of our lives. As human beings we must
eat to have energy and food also plays an important part in our
culture. Food can be the best part of our day, as we connect with
family and friends to share a meal.
Food can also be connected with lots of feelings, including some
complicated ones. Sometimes we eat because we are upset, sad,
anxious, afraid, angry or bored. But food does not make these
uncomfortable feelings go away.
What do you do to handle your feelings? See what healthier
changes you could make. Print this form and fill it in.
When I feel Frustrated
I usually do this:___________________________________________
Something else I could do is…
________________________________________________________
When I feel Angry
I usually do this:___________________________________________
Something else I could do is…
________________________________________________________
When I feel Bored
I usually do this:___________________________________________
Something else I could do is…
________________________________________________________
When I feel Sad
I usually do this: __________________________________________
Something else I could do is…________________________________
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2. www.DiabetesFamilies.com
WHY WE EAT CONT.
Here is a list of other things that you might do to handle your
feelings...
• Take a break or “time out”
• Talk to someone about it
• Breathe deeply to calm down
• Hit a pillow
• Go for a run
• Get up and do something fun like ...
• Call a friend
• Get a hug
• Take a soothing bath
• Listen to music
• Relax
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3. www.DiabetesFamilies.com
MY TEAM
We all are members of a team. Our first team is our family, the people
we live with, who love and take care of us. Later we enlarge our team
to include friends, classmates and people we like and trust, such as
teachers, doctors or coaches. Having the support of our “teammates”
can make things easier.
Print this form and fill it in to see who is on your support team.
Me
___________
_____Family____
__________________
______________________
_________________________
___________Friends___________
________________________________
_____________________________________
_________________________________________
How many of these people are in your life? Where do they fit on you
support team pyramid? Be sure to add all the helpful ones to your
team chart.
aunt . baby sitter . brother . bus driver . cafeteria worker . camp counselor .
coach . cousin . dentist . doctor . father . grandfather . grandmother . guidance
counselor . mother . music . teacher . neighbor . nurse . nutritionist .
priest/rabbi . principal . shop keeper . sister . social worker . step parent .
teacher . tutor . uncle . special person
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4. www.DiabetesFamilies.com
MY EATING STYLE
Did you know you have an eating style? Do you know what your style
is?
Read these statements and circle all the ones that best describe what
you do and discover your style.
1. I love to have long 5. My favorite foods are
conversations during a white or beige.
meal, so I wind up eating
slowly. 6. I’m a constant muncher
and snack while watching
2. Sometimes I eat standing TV, playing video games,
up. I’m always on the go using my computer.
so I need fast foods.
7. I never have time for
3. I like to cook and arrange breakfast.
the plate so it looks
pretty. 8. I can finish a bag of chips
without even knowing it.
4. I’m fussy. I never let the
peas touch the mashed 9. I like to try new and
potatoes. different foods, especially
colorful ones.
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5. www.DiabetesFamilies.com
MY EATING STYLE CONT.
Here’s Your Eating Style!
If you answered mostly –
#1, 3 & 9: You are a gourmet and truly enjoy food. It takes 20
minutes for your brain to know when your stomach is full. Eating
slowly and enjoying your meal fully can prevent you from overeating.
#2, 4 & 7: You are a grazer. You’re in a big hurry and don’t care one
way or the other about your food. Try three small meals a day, and
two snacks instead of five meals. Make sure the food you choose is
nutritious! Try drinking a glass of water before each mini meal so you
feel full on less food.
#5, 6 & 8: You are a multi-tasker and don’t give yourself time to fully
enjoy your food. Be sure to measure out a portion before you start
eating so you can keep track of how much you eat. Try chewing gum,
instead of snacks, while you are working on other things.
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6. www.DiabetesFamilies.com
MY FITNESS STYLE
Did you know you have a fitness style? Circle the one answer that best
describes what you usually do. Then add up your points and discover
your fitness style.
In the morning I usually…
1. Pull the covers over my head 3. Wait until the snooze alarm
and go back to sleep or someone wakes me up again
2. Get up but I am still tired 4. Wake up quickly and jump
out of bed
_________________________________
In gym class I…
1. Hide out or pretend I’m sick 3. Often participate in most
activities
2. Sometimes participate when I
like the activity 4. Always play hard
_________________________________
At lunch I usually…
1. Skip lunch 3. Eat, then hang around with
friends
2. Just eat my lunch
4. Eat fast and then play hard
_________________________________
After school or on weekends, I do sports, dance or play active
games…
1. Not at all 3. 3 or 4 times a week
2. Once or twice a week 4. 5 or more times a week
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7. www.DiabetesFamilies.com
MY FITNESS STYLE CONT.
Scoring: Each item you circled has a number in front of it. Add up
your numbers and read below to discover your fitness style.
1- 5 points = Couch Potato
6 – 13 points = Moderate Mover
14 - 16 points = Olympic Potential
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8. www.DiabetesFamilies.com
MY FITNESS STYLE CONT.
YOUR EXERCISE OPTIONS - Pick the one that’s right for you
Couch Potatoes:
• Help with household chores daily: make your bed or sweep the
floor
• Help carry home the groceries or laundry
• Walk the dog or your baby brother/sister/cousin around the
block
• Make exercising during commercials a requirement for watching
TV. Do jumping jacks, hula-hoop or sit-ups.
• Be active 10 to15 extra minutes each day.
Moderate Mover:
• Participate more actively in gym class and recess time.
• Play actively with your friends: tag, sledding, hop scotch, catch,
dancing, hiking, dodge ball, Frisbee, biking and flying a kite, are
great things to do with your friends in the park or school yard.
• Try a team sport: soccer, baseball, basketball, football, karate,
tennis, hockey or swimming, are great ways to become active
and make new friends.
• Be active 15 to 30 extra minutes each day.
Olympic Potential:
• Join a school team.
• Set aside time for working out alone or with friends.
• Challenge yourself to excel at skateboarding, break dancing or
other activities you like.
• Learn dance, karate or gymnastics and prepare for the group’s
performance.
• Be active 30 minutes or more every day.
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