Food noise is the constant internal monologue about food. It causes unhealthy habits and experts reveal the causes, impact, and practical solutions like mindfulness, balanced nutrition, and medication to break free and find a healthier relationship with food.
Ever find yourself obsessing over food what to eat, when to eat, or feeling guilty about what you’ve eaten? That internal chatter, known as “food noise,” is more common than you might think, and it’s sparking meaningful conversations online and in health circles.
Food noise is the incessant preoccupation with eating from planning meals to obsessing over portion sizes or calories. According to Dr. Jeff Alfonsi, an internal medicine specialist, it’s a spectrum: some experience fleeting thoughts, while for others, it becomes an unrelenting obsession.
According to Jordan Anthony, a registered dietician, food noise affects groups of people-people with eating disorders, teenagers, and people living in stressful environments. They tend to overeat or eat junk because the condition is amplified by social pressures and marketing cues.
Evolving from both evolutionary and societal roots, according to Dr. Alfonsi, intense food awareness has been necessary for survival in the history of mankind, but these never-ending advertisements and convenience foods perpetuate the cycle in today’s world.
How can the noise be reduced? Journaling triggers, mindfulness exercises, and consuming well-balanced, high-protein snacks are all advised by experts. In order to change their habits, some people can find success using GLP-1 drugs or with dietitians.
Exercise and meditation are two practices that can help people regain control over their eating habits by preventing intrusive thoughts.
In the end, overcoming food noise starts with knowing how you relate to food and selecting resources that suit your particular path.
