Apr 03, 2025

I can't stop thinking about food

Constant food thoughts can be exhausting. Learn how to understand what your body is really telling you and shift your relationship with food from restriction to freedom.

Loading...
Key Takeaways:
  • Constant food thoughts may be your body signaling it's hungry or needs more calories
  • How do you view food - is it a reward or fuel?
  • Years of restriction create mental cravings even when physically satisfied
  • Give yourself permission to eat anything, but you don't have to eat everything
  • Learn to trust that you can eat it and be okay
  • Pay attention to how foods make you feel after eating them
  • Balance immediate enjoyment with how you'll feel afterward

The first and most important check is to ask yourself: are you really fueling your body correctly to feel energized and strong?

Sometimes, constant food thoughts are simply your body's way of telling you it's hungry. If you've been in a calorie deficit or restricting certain foods, your body will signal its needs - and those signals can manifest as obsessive thoughts about food.

Really ask yourself: are you eating enough throughout the day to feel strong and energized?

If you're genuinely hungry or under-fueled, increasing your calories and ensuring you're eating balanced meals can significantly reduce food preoccupation.

How do you view food?

Next, view your relationship with food: is it more of a reward and enjoyment, or a way to fuel your body?

Everyone will be different, and there's no "right" answer. However, if you have restricted for years, of course mentally you are going to see it as some sort of reward and yearn for it.

For me, the best outcome came from realizing that I can eat it whenever I want and be okay, but that doesn't mean I have to eat the whole thing.

Pay Attention to How Food Makes You Feel

After a while, I started to become aware of how food made me feel after eating it. And from there, I found that I didn't yearn for it as much because I was able to weigh up the immediate enjoyment with the aftermath of how it was making me feel and make better informed decisions.

Try this:

  • After eating, check in with yourself: How do I feel physically?
  • Do I feel energized or sluggish?
  • Am I satisfied or still craving more?
  • How will I feel in an hour? Tomorrow?

This awareness helps you make choices that honor both your enjoyment and your well-being.

Make Informed Choices

You've got this. The journey from constant food thoughts to food freedom isn't straightforward, but it's definitely possible.


As always, seek a professional for professional advice if you're feeling stuck. Feel free to contact us if you don't know where to start.

Join the Movement

Get our audio lessons delivered straight to your inbox. Learn on the go - while driving, working, or walking. No reading required.

Comments

0 comments

Loading comments...

Want to explore more articles?

View All Articles