Addicted to Food? Cravings Decoded

Let me start here: You already know what to do.You know it serves you to move your body more.To eat more of the foods that serve you.And less of the ones that don’t. Hydrate. Manage your stress. Knowing what to do is not the problem.The problem is… you’re not doing it.Even though you want to. And what I want to talk about in this episode is why.Because in my experience, it’s actually very rare that I come across someone who truly doesn’t know what to do. Most people know. They’ve heard it all before. And yet—they’re still stuck in patterns of self-sabotage. So instead of asking, “What should I do?”I want to shift the question to: “Why am I not doing the things I already know?”Because that’s where real change begins.In this week’s episode, I decode the three different sources of cravings that are sitting in the driver’s seat of your decision making around food. Biological: Your Body Is Driving More Than You ThinkYour hormones are constantly influencing your hunger, your energy, and your cravings.The main ones I focus on are:Cortisol (stress)Insulin (blood sugar)Ghrelin (hunger)Leptin (fullness)If these are off, your cravings will be off.And this is where I look at things like:Your circadian rhythm (your biological clock)Your sleep patternsYour energy throughout the dayI also use food journaling—but not for restriction or shame.I use it to find patterns.Because your unconscious mind runs on patterns.And one of the biggest things I look at is blood sugar regulation.If you’re eating carbohydrates on their own, you’re going to spike your blood sugar… and then crash.And every time you crash, you create another craving.That’s why you can eat a huge meal—feel completely full—and then find yourself back in the kitchen not long after.So one simple shift: Stop eating carbs on their own. Pair them with protein and fiber.That’s how you stabilize your system.Social: Your Environment Is Quietly Controlling YouYour environment matters more than you think.If certain foods are in your house, you will have to work harder not to eat them. That’s not a willpower issue—that’s human behavior.If your partner brings something home…If you’re at your mom’s house and she’s cooking your favorite meal…That’s going to trigger cravings.And it goes beyond food.You’ll notice your behaviors shift depending on who you’re around.Some people regulate you.Some people trigger you.And sometimes, that trigger leads to emotional eating or choices that don’t actually serve you.Psychological: The Part No One Wants to Look AtThis is the deepest layer.This is where food becomes:A coping mechanismA way to numbA way to escapeA way to self-medicateBecause sometimes it’s not about the food at all.It’s about what you’re trying not to feel.And this is where I use hypnotherapy—because we have to go beyond the conscious mind.We have to look at:Your belief systemsYour identityThe patterns stored in your unconsciousAnd often, those patterns started from a moment that was never fully processed.So the behavior continues… even when you logically know better.Download my free guide, Calm the Craving: 7 Steps to Break Emotional and Binge Eating, and finally end the cycle of out-of-control eating: www.sherryshaban.comWork With Sherry Shaban:Book your FREE 30-minute Food Freedom Call and start your journey to lasting change! www.sherryshabanfitness.com/clarityListen & SubscribeCatch more episodes at www.makepeacewithfood.com/podcast or subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube so you never miss an episode!Connect & Go DeeperJoin our Facebook Community: www.myfoodfreedomlifestyle.comWork with Sherry: www.sherryshaban.com/transformExplore more resources: www.makepeacewithfood.comShare Your TakeawayTag us on Instagram (@makepeacewithfoodofficial), Facebook (@MakePeaceWithFoodOfficial), TikTok (@sherryshaban), or LinkedIn (sherryshaban) and share your biggest insight from this episode!