The popularity of weight-loss drugs has revealed something so universal to some of us and unknown to others: food noise.
It’s not the noise our food makes. It’s the mental chatter about food that takes place, for some of us, almost constantly.
And it’s thanks to medications like Ozempic and Wegovy that we even have a name for it. Because it’s only when it stops that many people even noticed they had it. Oprah said that on her med, she no longer “constantly [thinks] about what the next meal is going to be”.
What is Food Noise?
While you’re eating lunch, you’re thinking about dinner. The carton of ice cream tucked away as a treat keeps coming to mind. Every spare moment between tasks is filled with, what can I eat next?
This might sound crazy to someone who doesn’t have it. And it feels crazy once you identify it. But it’s a real thing for many of us and it obviously contributes to obesity. And we probably wouldn’t even recognize it if not for those who are grateful it has stopped.
Sometimes food noise arises because we’re eating a poor diet. Other times, it’s just because our brains want to give us relief from the stress of everyday life. When we eat, we release dopamine, the happy hormone. Studies show that these medications block a pathway in the brain that’s triggered by stress. So, you’re less likely to eat for eating’s sake. Instead, you only eat when you’re hungry.
Calming Food Noise Without Drugs
The author of a book titled, what else, Food Noise, has suggestions. He’s a doctor who works in this space.
- Cut sugar and ultra-processed foods. Eat more fibre and protein instead. Dr. Mosley says ultra-processed foods are designed to be addictive. The more you eat, the more you want.
- Get rid of that stuff. Give it away. Don’t allow it to become a temptation by simply not buying it anymore.
- Put away the phone to bring anxiety levels down. The frantic switching between apps and looking for messages and likes ramps us up and makes us antsy.
- Get out and do something. Go for a walk. Take an exercise class. Basically, get back to basics in life.
Don’t feel bad if these things don’t entirely work. I don’t eat sugar but I do eat some processed foods. I walk regularly and spend less time on my phone and social media sites. There’s no difference in my food noise. The voices keep talking!
The Green Weight Loss Monster
Everyone knows weight loss is a matter of calories in being lower than calories out. It’s simple math. So if we all know it, why aren’t we all thin? Because of things like food noise. Our brains sometimes work against us. Like the other day when I woke up with Captain and Tennille’s Muskrat Love in my head. But I digress.
I envy people on weight loss drugs, I really do. I see nothing wrong with using them. It seems to me that the only judgmental people are those who don’t experience things like food noise. People like Oprah, Rosie O’Donnell, Kelly Clarkson, and Amy Schumer use these drugs. But they’re just too expensive for many of us. I do hope that the cost will come down one day. In the meantime, what’s for dinner?
Perfect post, now I have a name to it. I’ve been suffering with food noise more recently dealing with family issues, to many snacks, and to many times snacking each day. I can avoid by not buying them as long as I phase them out and our pool opens in a couple of weeks, so back to daily swimming.
Oh how I miss having a pool to use! I’m sorry you also have this food noise affliction but you’re certainly not alone.
At first, before reading, I thought it might be Misphonia, something I’ve battled most of my life. Interesting however, is the content my brain housed you’ve explained,which filled my head, but only for the years in which I was responsible for the meals of others under my roof. I think that’s fairly common though, dictated by the perpetual questions “ what’s for dinner or lunch”.
My cross to bear is the food or eating noise created by consumption within my super hearing range. If you invite me to dinner and corn on the cob is on the menu, I will graciously decline. If we go out for lunch and you order tacos or nachos , it will never happen again.Loud chewing in general is a trigger.If you slurp your coffee,tea, or any beverage for that matter, prepare for the death glare. I can’t describe what teeth sliding food off the tines of a fork does in my head. I understand this is a me problem, not a you problem, but problem it remains.I take some comfort in the fact this trait is inherited from my mother. She instructed both my brother and I on the skill of silent consumption. Noisy eating was forbidden at our table,so it was the outside world that required managment.For the most part,I’m winning.
Another upside of diminishing hearing, I suppose!
I always love a good Captain and Tennille reference!
Who doesn’t? LOL
Great piece and I hope we can mine it for next week’s G&F. Food Noise – I’m with Sarah, but less so, on slurping, etc.. But this is a whole different ball of…dough? Fascinating, honest and of course, that C&T reference. Chef’s kiss!
Thank you! I am pretty sure we already talked about it 😀 That’s what gave me the idea to dive deeper into it. As you know, finding blog topics is the hardest part. (And Tom Petty thought it was the waiting!!)