Valerie Bertinelli Opens Up About Emotional Struggles

Valerie Bertinelli recently shared her emotional struggles related to drinking amidst what she described as “emotionally unbearable feelings.” The 65-year-old former Food Network star, who has been sober since early 2024, posted videos on Instagram candidly discussing her challenges with alcohol during tough times.

In her videos, Bertinelli expressed, “I’ve been feeling really intense, uncomfortable, and sad lately. I want to drink. I want to escape these feelings; I don’t want to feel them.” But then she reminded herself, “No, that’s not the answer. What really helps is to process those emotions and work through them.”

She admitted that it’s hard not to indulge in unhealthy snacks when feeling down. Over the years, Bertinelli has opened up about her health journey and the effort to maintain a healthy weight.

“I crave those comfort foods,” she stated. “Sometimes, I just think about all the nutrients and healthy stuff, but honestly, all I want is to numb these emotions.”

To combat her urges, she humorously offered a healthier alternative to her followers. “So, what I’m going to do?” she said, “I love watermelons! I’m going to prepare one right now. It’s watermelon season, and while it won’t numb my feelings, it will make me feel good.”

As she sliced the watermelon, she encouraged her fans to join her, saying, “We’re going to enjoy this together, but I won’t eat my feelings away.” Laughing, she added, “I feel my feelings while I slice this.” In a heartfelt moment, she teared up while cutting the fruit, declaring, “This is my favorite time of year. Watermelons are amazing!”

Bertinelli emphasized the importance of facing painful emotions, saying, “I have these feelings, and I’m not going to get into where they come from, but we really can’t ignore them. When we try to suppress them, it just makes them stronger.” She continued, “So, I’m focusing on healthy choices—like watermelons. They taste great and are packed with goodness.”

She reiterated that emotional awareness is crucial. “I know I’m feeling sad, and that’s all right; it will pass. I’m strong, and I’ll get through this,” she said, adding a bit of humor to lighten the mood.

In her reflections, she stated, “Emotions are just information. Whenever I feel the urge to hide my sadness, I remind myself to listen. So I take a bite of watermelon and see what those feelings want to tell me.”

In a follow-up post, Bertinelli expressed her gratitude to those who connected with her through their own experiences. “It’s heartwarming to realize how many wonderful people are out there, supporting one another,” she said cheerfully. “Feeling less alone in our emotions is really uplifting.”

She wrapped up her day with a light-hearted moment, confessing, “I ended up finishing the whole watermelon, and you know what? I wasn’t embarrassed. I was feeling everything, and in the end, I was grateful.”