Food Love HALT
An effective emotional eating tool
I have a little sign in my kitchen that says, “Food is my love language.”
And it’s true — food was how I was shown love growing up by my family (still is). It’s how I show love to others now. And for sure it’s how I care for myself. Maybe you share this same love language through food — even though it’s not one of the “official” five love languages, we know it’s a legitimate one.
It’s wonderful to love food — why would we not?
Food is fun, delicious, comforting. It is one of the most powerful ways to connect with ourselves and each other, with cultures, places and experiences.
But like all good things, food love has a slipper slope.
Food Love can cross that line where comfort turns into coping, self-soothing becomes self-sabotage. It happens easily — dopamine hits are real — certain foods literally mimic drugs in the brain. That blend of chemistry + willpower is why so many of us “lose the battle” more than we want to admit.
It is okay. We all do it at some point (sometimes daily). It’s not a character flaw or a failure; it’s simply a human pattern. Pretty sure you are human if you are reading this.
The important part is noticing what is happening. There’s a big difference between moving through life on autopilot and choosing a different path with awareness. Every moment gives us another chance to make a different choice.
With the holidays around the corner, I’m putting on my Intuitive Eating Counselor hat and offering you another coaching session you didn’t technically sign up for… but might secretly be craving. Pun intended, of course.
There’s a simple four-letter word that helps create a pause around food — a moment to check in so you actually enjoy what you’re eating and feel good before, during, and after. To me, that’s what real love looks like: for food, for yourself, for your overall health.
HALT is your go-to tool.
Here’s how you use HALT. Before you eat next, simply ask:
Am I eating because I am…
• Hungry?
• Angry?
• Lonely?
• Tired?
These are the emotional currents that most often drive us to food. HALT becomes the inner coach on your shoulder, helping you understand why you’re reaching for something edible.
We can layer it with:
Hungry or Happy? (celebrating with food)
Angry or Activated? (agitated, overwhelmed)
Lonely or Longing? (for connection, comfort, closeness)
Tired or Tender? (emotionally soft, stretched thin)
HALT is a check-in, not a judgment. You are an adult with full agency — you can choose to eat what, when, and how much no matter what you’re feeling. It is your choice.
But if you’re anything like me, when I eat mindlessly, I often end up feeling physically uncomfortable and emotionally defeated. Food might be fun during, but definitely not fun after.
HALT helps us make sure the care we’re giving ourselves is true care — a way to let food remain a genuine love language, not a way we self-punish or override our needs.
Whether it’s holiday eating or everyday nourishment, let’s mostly eat to fuel the body, not fight or over inflate our feelings.
Let’s mostly eat out of love, not fear.
Of course, don’t look for that non existent perfection.
Use HALT 88% of the time if you can — because good enough more than enough.
That is always true.
With love and gratitude,
xoxo
Kit
P.S. FYI, as brilliant as it sounds, I did not create the HALT method!
You can learn more about it here.
Here are other ways to give yourself love:
• Holistic Acupuncture appointments for the rest of 2025 are available here.
• Community Acupuncture sessions at OSU Integrative Health. Please call 614-293-9777 directly.