We are social and emotional beings and while we need food for energy, we also eat for pleasure, social connection, celebration and sometimes to avoid strong emotions. This is normal; however, problems can arise when food is the go-to relief for emotional discomfort. HALT, an acronym formed from: hungry, angry, lonely, and tired is a technique that involves becoming aware of the reason you are reaching for food. If hunger is not the primary driver, take a moment to pause and identify the emotion or situation at play. Then from that place of mindful awareness, you can choose to eat, or you can explore other options to meet your needs and soothe your emotions.