Episode 15: Why We Eat Until Our Pants Are Too Tight

In This Episode You’ll Learn:Eating past fullness is not about willpower, but biological and neurological mechanisms.Dopamine & anticipation: The brain releases dopamine before the next bite, driving continued eating.Fullness as nervous system regulation: A full stomach can activate calming parasympathetic responses.Blood sugar fluctuations: Glucose spikes and drops can create lingering hunger or cravings.Energy debt: Skipping meals or under-eating earlier can trigger rebound overeating.Emotional regulation: Food can temporarily soothe emotional states like stress or boredom.Delayed satiety signals: Fullness hormones take ~15–20 minutes to register, making it easy to overshoot.Big takeaway: Overeating often reflects biology interacting with environment, not personal failure.Practice: Replace judgment with curiosity—ask what the body was trying to solve (reward, regulation, energy, emotion, or speed).Mentioned in This Episode:The Hunger Habit: Why We Eat When We're Not Hungry and How to Stop, Judson Brewer - https://amzn.to/4bl2BiOMindful Eating: A Guide to Rediscovering a Healthy and Joyful Relationship with Food, Jan Chozen Bays, https://amzn.to/4sip3ifEmotional influences on food choice: sensory, physiological and psychological pathways, Edward Leigh Gibson, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16545403/Need support?Join the Mood and Metabolism Collective: If you’re looking for more support putting these ideas into practice, you can join The Mood and Metabolism Collective! Inside you’ll find quick, blood-sugar-steady recipes, an easy drag-and-drop meal planner with smart grocery lists (even Instacart integration), monthly cooking classes, and a calm community space to build a more grounded relationship with food. 🌱 RevitalizeHER: Wellness and Health Strategy Call for Women Over 40: A 30-minute session for women navigating midlife changes like low energy, stress, digestive issues, or stubborn weight. Together we’ll uncover what’s been holding you back and map out a few simple, personalized steps to help you feel lighter, calmer, and more energized.More Resources for You:Bone Health Blindspots Guide: A clear, grounded look at what’s often missing in the conversation around bone loss, midlife metabolism, and stress.👉 https://catdillon.com/BoneHealthBlindSpots💌 Inner Wisdom Eating Guided Reset👉 https://catdillon.com/InnerWisdomEatingGuidedReset❓ Quiz: How Much of a Mindful Eater Are You?👉 https://catdillon.com/MindfulEaterQuiz🍳 10 Craving-Busting Breakfasts👉 https://catdillon.com/CraveBustingBreakfasts 📄 10 Best Blood Sugar Hacks for Women 40+👉 https://catdillon.com/10BloodSugarHacksConnect with Me:Instagram: https://instagram.com/catdillonrhn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatDillonRHN/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catdillonrhn/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@catdillonrhn