On birthdays, we get cake. The weekends we celebrate with wine. And after a bad day, a big bowl of ice cream seems like the cure to all that ails us.
However, while the occasional overindulgence might not seem like a big deal, the willingness to accept that “treat” always means “food” has made it nearly impossible for many people to feel rewarded without piling on the calories. Unfortunately, those extra treats do more than just wreak havoc on our waistlines: they also can lead to more destructive patterns over time.
In fact, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reveals that children who are given food as a reward are more prone to emotional eating, potentially setting them up for weight gain and other health issues in the future. The good news? There are plenty of ways to reward yourself without digging into the closest slice of cake. Start taking control by adding discovering these 42 ways to reward yourself without food. And when you want to make your meals (and your life as a whole) more enjoyable, discover these 15 Foods That Boost Your Mood!