Food Noise and How to Silence It

Image from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/21/well/eat/ozempic-food-noise.html

In today’s world, we’re constantly bombarded with messages about food – from social media influencers showing off the latest diet trend to well-meaning friends offering unsolicited advice. This constant chatter, often referred to as “food noise,” can leave us feeling confused and disconnected from our own bodies. But what if the key to healthier eating isn’t following the loudest voices, but tuning them out? In this blog, we’ll explore how food noise affects our choices, how to recognize it, and most importantly, how to find peace and clarity in our relationship with food. 

For starters – what exactly is “food noise”? According to a peer reviewed journal from the NIH, food noise is “a heightened and/or persistence manifestations of food cue reactivity, often leading to food-related intrusive thoughts and maladaptive eating behaviors.” In other words, food noise is the mental chatter that causes people to focus on food. But how is food noise any different from your occasional cravings? According to CBS News, food noise can present itself in other ways such as: thinking about when, what or how much to eat, not being present in your current meal – constantly thinking ahead about what you will eat next, and obsessing over calories and portion sizes. 

So what can we do to silence food noise? Focusing on a healthy diet, eating intentionally, and reducing stress are just some of the things you can do to combat food noise. It’s really important to choose foods that nourish your body and make you feel good. This includes incorporating nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins.