118. Stop Emotional Eating and Sugar Cravings in Midlife

In this episode of the Emotional Eats Podcast, I sit down with Tricia Nelson, author, speaker, and founder of Heal Your Hunger. Tricia shares her deeply personal story of growing up as an emotional eater, her journey to healing, and how she now helps women break free from the cycle of dieting, bingeing, and shame. We dive into the truth behind emotional eating, why it's not really about food, and the powerful connection between trauma, people-pleasing, and compulsive eating. If you've ever struggled with sugar, secret eating, or feeling out of control with food, this episode is for you. Highlights Tricia's early story: bingeing, secret eating, and her powerful "garbage eating" moment Emotional eating vs. intuitive eating—why your body's signals may not always be trustworthy The spectrum of emotional eating to food addiction The real consequences of emotional eating: health, relationships, spirituality, and joy How trauma and people-pleasing fuel emotional eating patterns Sugar addiction and why abstinence is sometimes easier than moderation   Timestamps 00:01 – Introducing Tricia Nelson and her TEDx story 00:50 – Childhood struggles and the moment she realized food was different for her 03:18 – The bingeing cycle and the shame of "garbage eating" 05:30 – Meeting a mentor and discovering it wasn't about food or weight 08:20 – Tricia's definition of emotional eating: "Eating to feel better" 09:13 – Why diets and control don't work 12:03 – The compulsion to eat and the cycle of self-sabotage 15:42 – The real consequences of emotional eating: health, joy, relationships, and spirituality 21:30 – Secret eating and why it feels like a relationship 24:28 – Trauma, people-pleasing, and how past experiences shape emotional eating 33:32 – The pitfalls of intuitive eating when emotions are in charge 35:07 – Sugar addiction, cravings, and why abstinence brings peace 41:50 – Reframing deprivation: choosing freedom over compulsion 43:37 – Tricia's three tips to start healing: slow down, morning routines, and don't do it alone 46:55 – How to connect with Tricia Nelson at Heal Your Hunger About Tricia Tricia Nelson lost fifty pounds by identifying and healing the underlying causes of her emotional eating. She is an Emotional Eating Expert and TEDx speaker, whose talk has garnered over 2 million views on YouTube. Tricia is the author of the #1 bestselling book Heal Your Hunger: 7 Simple Steps to End Emotional Eating Now and the host of the popular podcast The Heal Your Hunger Show. She has spent over thirty years researching the hidden causes of the addictive personality and has been featured on NBC, CBS, KTLA, FOX, and Discovery Health. Connect with Tricia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tricianelson_/ Website: https://healyourhunger.com/  Tricia's Book: Heal Your Hunger: 7 Simple Steps to End Emotional Eating Now Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heal-your-hunger-show/id1190355931  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealYourHunger If this episode resonated with you: Share it with a friend who needs a mindset shift around food. Hit Follow or Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Leave a review — it helps other midlife women find this support.   Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is not intended to replace working with your doctor, medical provider, or mental health professional. It is for conversation, information, and entertainment only. Note: Some links may be affiliate links, and I may receive a small commission or sponsorship support at no extra cost to you. These partnerships help me keep the Emotional Eats Podcast going and allow me to continue creating free content to support you on your journey.   Hey Cool Girl, Welcome to the Collective for Midlife Reset and Support! Join Here:  https://www.skool.com/coolgirlcollective/ Join us for a  space to connect, learn, and grow with other amazing women over 40 who are navigating midlife — everything from hormones, menopause weight gain, post menopause and emotional eating to holistic healing, calming the nervous system, and rediscovering who you are in this season of life Connect With Kim: Emotional Eats Podcast: Emotional Eats Podcast:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emotional-eats-podcast-end-emotional-eating-weight/id1686639038 Website:  https://wellspringcounselingandhealth.com/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/kimhynesmidlife/ TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@kimhynesmidlife TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@kimemotionaleats YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@Kimhynesmidlife   Want to improve your midlife focus or sleep?  Check out Brain.fm.  This app has help me be more productive, get the best afternoon powernaps and bring down my nervous system….fast.  Get 30 days for free here.  https://www.brain.fm/kimhyneshealth Get my favorite healthy Hot Chocolate (Organifi Chocolate Gold) here: https://www.organifishop.com/ Use code:  KIMH for 20 % off This dark chocolate tumeric tea helps promote relaxation and calm.  It's the perfect substitute for dessert and a great way to help promote sleep. Other links Kim receives commission on some of these products which are used to continue providing free content and produce the Emotional Eats Podcast. LMNT http://elementallabs.refr.cc/kimhynes   ParaFy Parasite Cleansing Kit https://rogershood.com/ref/1961/ Code: KIMH