3 Reasons Why You Always Think About Food
Is food on your mind 24/7?
Do you start thinking about your next meal as soon as you finish the one you’re currently eating?
Do you never feel truly satisfied after meals?
Do you wish there was a way you could just shut off this food noise for good?
If so, this is for you. As a registered dietitian, complaints over thinking about food 24/7 are one of the main concerns I hear from clients. And it makes sense! You want to be able to eat “normally” and devote time and energy to other important tasks and thoughts. I want that for you too.
Let's delve into the underlying causes and discover how you can finally break free from this cycle to find the peace and contentment you deserve.
Before we jump in, if you’d rather listen to this instead of read, check out my 10-minute podcast episode on the topic here!
Mental Restriction
Even if you feel like you’re eating “enough,” you may still have a mental battle going on that’s keeping you from true peace with food.
This might look like having food rules, labeling certain foods as bad, strict calorie counting, and placing your moral worth or value on what and how much you eat. On a scientific level, this mental restriction can actually create a heightened dopamine response, which means that when you DO finally eat these foods you’re craving but tell yourself are bad you’ll have a bigger response to them than you would if they were a normal part of your eating routine.
This can lead to things like binge eating, or eating and then feeling like you have to “make up for it”. It can also lead to weight cycling (constantly losing and regaining weight) and leave you feeling frustrated in your relationship with food.
Physical Restriction
Depriving your body of the calories it needs can send your system into overdrive, often triggering intense cravings. Despite what diet culture tells you, this isn’t a lack of willpower, it’s your body trying to protect you and get what you need. Your body is going to send you signals and say “hey we need more food” the same as when you need water when you’re dehydrated or a nap if you didn’t sleep well.
You may also find that if you struggle with the physical restriction you crave carbs and sugar more than anything else. This is because these are often the easiest and fastest ways to get in the calories your body needs, so of course you crave them more when you aren't eating enough!
The biggest thing to note here is that your body NEEDS calories, and if it doesn’t get what it needs over time you’ll likely start to see and feel the consequences.
Emotional Regulation
If food and your body feel like the only way you can control your life (or a small part of it) then you’re likely going to gravitate towards these restricting and limiting behaviors more and more.
You may also have a tendency to turn to food out of a way to deal with other emotions, like sadness, or anger, or fear. This doesn’t mean you’re bad or weak, it means that you may just need some more tools in your toolkit to help you regulate your emotions and meet those needs beyond food.
Next Steps- Get Support On Your Journey!
If you're eager to explore these concepts further and finally uncover how you can cultivate a more peaceful relationship with food, my group coaching program is for you. Together, we'll uncover the root causes of your food-related struggles and chart a path toward reclaiming your autonomy and finding peace with food.
Remember, you're not alone in this journey. With the right guidance and support, you can cultivate a healthier relationship with food and embrace intuitive eating as a pathway to lasting food freedom! Click here to learn more about Nourished To Thrive and apply to work together!
