Khloé Kardashian says she was an 'emotional eater': 'I hated the way I felt'

Khloé Kardashian says she's done with "yo-yo" dieting after addressing her relationship with food and her body.

"I've actually always had a really unhealthy relationship with food. When I was younger and was sad, I would eat — I was an emotional eater," the 37-year-old told Health magazine. "And then I hated the way I felt after that. I was almost punishing myself for binging or having a bag of chips—it just became so much thought."

Khloé Kardashian addresses her
Khloé Kardashian addresses her "unhealthy relationship with food." (Photo: Getty Images)

The reality television star has been open about her struggles with body image after being thrust into the spotlight with the start of Keeping Up with the Kardashians in 2007. "In truth, the pressure, constant ridicule and judgment my entire life to be perfect and to meet other’s standards of how I should look has been too much to bear," she wrote in an Instagram post in April 2021, recalling labels she's been given as the "fat sister" or the "ugly sister."

In recent years, however, she's taken control of that narrative by dedicating herself to a lifestyle change that's allowed her to be the happiest and healthiest version of herself.

"For me, it's about practicing healthy habits on a daily basis. I have to think of it as a lifestyle rather than thinking I want to try this diet or some other thing someone was talking about," she said. "I'm so over that stage in my life. It's cliché, but it's all about mind, body and soul. If I am not mentally strong then I physically feel like I can't do what I want to do. So, it is really not about the physical appearance. That's a by-product. You can tell when someone is genuinely happy from the inside out."

She went on to share the beginning of her fitness journey nothing that she "turned to the gym when I was going through a divorce" — a process that was later documented on her own spin-off show Revenge Body. "At first your body is, like, dying. But emotionally and mentally, the release that I got was worth it. I quickly realized how good I feel when I'm consistent with it," she continued.

And while exercise has played a big role in her journey with body acceptance, reevaluating her approach to food was also a necessary step.

"I had tried every diet under the sun. Remember when Beyoncé did that lemon juice and cayenne pepper thing? I was like, sign me up! That's why I yo-yoed my entire life—I was always chasing some fad," she said. "When I started working out, I decided to make some lifestyle changes. So I'd say, for example, this week I am just going to do one thing — I'm just going to cut out sugar. Then, maybe I'd try to do it for a month. After that, I'd try to incorporate another healthy change."

As a mother to her three-year-old daughter True, Kardashian also makes an effort to pass on these healthier habits. She's even become cautious about how people talk about the little girl's appearance.

"When it comes to food — I had so many issues. It wasn't from one person, I guess just from society or how people critiqued my body. So, I don't play when it comes to True," Kardashian explained. "She's very tall. People will always say, "She's so big." And I'll say, "Oh, she's so tall." I try to make them be more descriptive. I know what an adult means when they say that, but I don't want her to misinterpret that."

Especially with the access that people have to the famous family via social media, Kardashian is aware of the impact that these words can have.

"I'm forever trying to drown out the noise that doesn't matter — especially in the world of Instagram. It's such a gift, and it's a curse. There's been so many days that I'm like, I feel so badass and good. And then my demeanor will be shot down because someone posted a story about how they perceive me or how they think I look," she said. "It's so strange because we know the truth about ourselves. So why let what someone says affect you? But it does. It didn't when I was younger. Normally, when you're older you turn into titanium. Sometimes I let that stuff get to me, and I have to actively drown that noise out."

Still, the youngest Kardashian sister isn't deterred from sharing her truth on Instagram, even as she posts about her spot on this very cover.

"I worked so hard in the gym for this and I celebrated with pizza (my weakness) right afterwards," she wrote.

"Wow!! You are so motivational Koko!" True's father Tristan Thompson commented. "So proud of your hard work and dedication to your healthcare and fitness. Abs of steel!! BRB I need to do some sit ups."

Her mother Kris Jenner wrote, "You are so beautiful and amazing inside and out and show all of us how to be empowered, inspirational, happy and peaceful and that laughter is the best medicine."

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