I know I'm an emotional eater because my eating is out of control. Is there any way to conquer this pattern? --an iVillager

I suggest trying an eating strategy that I call "empowered eating." By becoming an empowered eater, you will be more aware of what you eat and why you eat it, which will help you develop more stable eating patterns. Get started with the following three steps.

Step 1: Take responsibility for your eating. Be accountable for your health, and specifically, find an eating plan that can fit into your lifestyle. You must recognize that no one can do this for you; if you don't take the lead, nothing will get done.

Step 2: Eat with a purpose View all eating as goal-directed. An eating goal may be physical, like nourishing the body, or it may be emotional, like coping with psychological issues.

Step 3:Be mindful of your eating behavior. Be fully aware of your feelings and the issues that are associated with your eating. Being an empowered eater doesn't mean you never again overeat because of emotional stress. It does mean, however, that when you do overeat, you understand why. And understanding the "why" behind your choices will make it easier for you to develop new, healthy habits.