I can totally relate to problems with portion sizes and emotional eating. Before talking to an eating disorder therapist and a nutritionist, those were massive, massive stumbling blocks for me. One thing that helped when I was getting into eating better portions was serving up one serving of each dinner item -- veggies, starch, protein, etc. -- then setting a timer for 20 minutes after I had finished eating my first helping. It was amazing how many times I was able to see just how "not hungry" I was after having a better, balanced single portion. I used to think I was hungrier when I was eating until I felt full at the table. Those 20 minutes helped me put things in perspective.

In my case, I had to find substitutes for the emotional eating. In some ways I am now an emotional-water-drinker. I realize that water is not the ideal substitute in your case. That's perfectly OK. I also talk things out with family and friends a lot more. I'll have to second dawnstar's emphasis on calorie tracking. Yay SparkPeople! When I track a serving or two of snacks and healthy portions on my meals, it helps me remember that I want to get myself in shape much more than I want the instant gratification of an extra handful of cookies.

Oh, and BPAL has helped too. We can indulge our senses of scent without taking in calories! True, it doesn't work all the time, and it's an expensive addiction. It's fun though! ;)

I'll likely be available anytime after noon. My AIM screen name is the same as my LJ username. I have a gmail account in the same name as well. It would be cool to hang out at some point. I'll have to bring my collection with. Fun to try, they are!