United States: The weight-loss foe that has been with us for ages has become particularly famous as a result of the rise of trendy medications for weight loss, like Ozempic or Wegovy. The users have also reported the disappearance of their food-craving conversations.
What does food noise mean?
The word “food noise” describes the all-consuming, unceasing thoughts about food that won’t allow you to live normally and will make it extremely difficult to prevent unhealthy behaviors, as explained by Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN, founder and director of Real Nutrition, an NYC-based nutrition, weight, and wellness practice as the New York Post reported.
Shapiro continued that it is a biological thing that is encountered by many. Overweight people stated, “[Food noise] can involve regularly fighting the urge/desire to eat even when you’re not hungry.”
It is mentioned that the inner voice can be “so intense and intrusive” that it would start to impact all of our food choices in a very negative way, as Shapiro said.
Why do people go for unhealthy food choices?
Shapiro added that “Due to the stress that food noise causes, [you] may feel the desire to reach for unhealthy, processed food choices as ‘comfort,'” and “It interferes with one’s ability to follow nutrition and/or exercise plans.”
How can people reduce food noises?
The process of stopping the screaming voices in your head can definitely be a struggle. However, there are specific strategies one can take to quiet down the volume, as the New York Post reported.
Shapiro added, “Work with a health and wellness expert, preferably both a registered dietitian and a therapist, to come up with attainable behavior changes.”
Alternatively, using some of the approaches that you had already learned for dealing with your mental health and wellness routine can help you better manage your relationship with eating, she said.
“Practice mindfulness” can be an effective way – Experts
Another way, as urged by Shapiro, “Practice mindfulness; figure out what your triggers are that may cause the food noise,” and mentioned that it could be done along with performing other things such as listening to relaxing music, doing outdoor activities, deep breathing, or silent meditation as the New York Post reported.
In addition to writing down the thoughts, she called self-talking another effective strategy.
“Recognize when you start to experience food noise and try to reframe the intrusive thoughts to be more positive—professional help may be necessary here,” she added.
And then there is another way — eat more, which would be frequent but in smaller portions. Interval-type meals, which are taken more often than large ones, can be a good solution for staying indigested.
Lastly, do not forget a practical aspect – if the cupboards are full of potato chips and some other snacks, which are in high demand because of the craving, empty them all.
Therefore, “Change any environmental cues such as putting triggering foods in a cabinet or on a higher shelf and put the healthful choices closer in reach,” she mentioned, as the New York Post reported.