EP157. The Real Reason You Stress Eat and How to Stop It

October 10, 2024

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Hey There, I'm Ryann Nicole.

I’m a recovered binge eater who changed the story from something that happened to me to something that happened for me. Now, I’m a licensed therapist teaching you to do the same.

My mission? To help you ditch food stress and live your life with mental peace and freedom every single day!

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Okay, let’s talk stress eating. You know that feeling when life is just… a LOT? 

You’ve got the kids fighting over who gets the blue cup, a mountain of laundry that somehow keeps growing, emails piling up, and oh, did you remember to make that dentist appointment? 

And suddenly, there’s a bag of chips in your hand, halfway gone, and you’re thinking, How the hell did I get here?

It happens so fast, right? You’re doing fine, maybe even eating your balanced meals, minding your own business. Then wham, stress hits, and it feels like the only solution is food. Like somehow, that chocolate bar or leftover mac and cheese is going to magically make the chaos disappear.

This isn’t just you. It’s sooo common. We learn to use food to soothe from a young age—birthday cake when you’re sad, a treat when you did well, ice cream after a breakup. Food becomes comfort, a little slice of relief when life feels too hard. 

⭐️ So even though you logically know food never makes you feel better, emotionally, your brain’s like, “Hey, you’re feeling like crap? I know what might help… a big ol’ spoonful of peanut butter.”

Because for a second, it does help. 

📈 There’s that little rush—dopamine, baby. The one thing that makes your brain go, “Ah, relief, finally.” 

📉 Until about ten minutes later, when guilt comes knocking at the door, asking, “Did you really need that second scoop?” 

And then comes the spiral. Because suddenly, it’s not just about the stress that got you eating in the first place—it’s about eating itself. The shame, the ugh, the feeling like you should have more control.

So you want to know how to stop stress eating? Well, then we need to talk about stress—because the real problem isn’t the food—it’s the stress.

And I will break that all down in this podcast episode right here 👉 EP157. The Real Reason You Stress Eat and How to Stop It

The stress eating will chill out when you deal with the stress. It’s simple, but not easy. This is how you address emotional eating without fueling it.

Excited for you to listen! 

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts 🎧 Listen on Spotify

HIGHLIGHTS

02:20 Understanding emotional eating vs. physical hunger

04:05 Why coping skills don’t always solve stress

05:50 Stress eating: what’s really going on?

09:20 Simplifying your life to reduce stress

12:50 Setting boundaries with your time and commitments

15:10 Accepting what you can’t control

17:30 Daily uplifts: small actions that make a big difference

18:40 Strengthening your emotional and physical resilience

⭐️ I’m offering free live group coaching every week in my Facebook group to support you through this journey. Don’t miss out!

Ryann: @itsryannnicole

Work with Ryann: BingeEatingUnchained.com

Join the IRN Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/itsryannnicole

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice.

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Ways I Can Support You

01 Coaching

Intimate group coaching to break free from binge eating

02 podcast

Real talk on food, mindset shifts, motherhood, and finding peace.

03 support group

A safe space to connect with others on the same journey.

04 free coaching

Have real conversations and hear others share their struggles.

Ryann Nicole

Licensed Therapist, Certified Nutritionist, and Virtual Wellness Coach

Ryann is a licensed therapist and virtual wellness coach who has assisted individuals worldwide in establishing a healthier relationship with food and their bodies.

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Ryann is a licensed therapist and virtual wellness coach who has assisted individuals worldwide in establishing a healthier relationship with food and their bodies.