Losing weight as an emotional eater: Janina's SHEKO story

"It all started with a photo at Christmas. I'd always been aware that I was overweight. But then I saw this picture and was really shocked. The scales confirmed it: I'd gained a few more kilos. That's when I knew I had to change something. A few days later, I drank my first SHEKO shake, thought it was delicious, and was happy that a new chapter was beginning for me."

"I was under a lot of emotional stress at the time – and that quickly turns into comfort eating for me. I'm an emotional eater. That has always been my biggest challenge. As soon as I feel bad, I swallow down the negative emotions – preferably in combination with lots of sweets."

Janina isn't alone in facing this "challenge." In Germany, roughly one in three people is an "emotional eater." This means that these individuals regulate negative feelings by consuming food—usually high-calorie, fatty, and sugary foods. In food science, this is also known as the "bliss point"—that moment when our food triggers the strongest feeling of happiness. Like the second a piece of chocolate slowly melts on our tongue, or when we bite into a warm French fry and lick the slightly salty film of fat from our lips.

This bliss point is usually not a bad thing. On the contrary, it's often accompanied by great pleasure and happiness. However, it becomes problematic when this "comfort food" is the only way we cope with grief, stress, and anger, and it leads to weight gain. When we resort to uncontrolled binge eating instead of intuitively listening to our true hunger, it's time to question our pattern and, ideally, break it.

“Yes, and that was crucial. I didn’t just change my diet, I fundamentally changed my life. I ended a relationship and started a new life as a single mother with my son. It might take courage to face your emotions, but it’s absolutely worth it.”

"The realization that even small things make a difference. For example, I now always take the stairs instead of the elevator. Or I walk my son to school instead of sitting comfortably in the car. It also helped me to learn about fats and carbohydrates and to talk to others about it. Not all fats are created equal – and, most importantly, not all fats make you fat. And there's also a little trick with carbohydrates for 'reducing the calories' in pasta."

The trick Janina describes is based on the concept of ' resistant starch '. This is formed when we cook starchy foods like pasta, potatoes, and rice and then let them cool. As they cool, the carbohydrates change their structure, creating a particularly valuable dietary fiber that keeps you feeling full longer, maintains a healthy digestive system, and contains fewer calories.

The process takes about 12 to 24 hours. And it doesn't reverse even if you reheat your potatoes or pasta the next day. That means if you cook your pasta tonight, you can enjoy it with fewer calories tomorrow at lunchtime.

"Not at all. I don't deprive myself of anything. That's exactly what I love about SHEKO. I drink my two shakes and have complete freedom to enjoy my life. There are no taboos on my plate or in my schedule. I mean, if I feel like it, I'll go out for dinner with friends in the evening. And that includes sushi and dessert. In moderation, of course. But above all, in great company."

"Sure. After losing 60 kilos with SHEKO, I got sick and had to take medication, which was also reflected on the scale. I suddenly gained weight again and gave my body time to cope with this change."

"Knowing that I can do it has given me a lot of strength. And realizing that I can manage emotions differently. I've found a different way of dealing with feelings – independent of chocolate, cake, and the like."

After gaining weight again in the meantime, Janina has now lost ten kilos. Her goal: "To become an owl. To get under 100."

Do you also want to make a change like Janina? Feel free to browse through our SHEKO Shake varieties !