obsessive food thoughts
Binge Eating

How To Stop Thinking About Food

November 14, 2022

Ryann Nicole

Hi, I’m Ryann.

Your Not-So-Average Food Freedom Therapist & Virtual Coach. As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Nutritionist with a BA in Psychology, and a MA in Professional Counseling, yes I do a little of the "so how does that make you feel".

But my ultimate goal is to provide you with the resources you need, in an easy-to-understand way, on healing your disordered relationship with food and your body. 

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Binge Eating

Healthy Habits

Body Image

Emotional Eating

Mental Health 

Can’t Stop Thinking About Food? Try this!

If you can’t stop thinking about food, it’s not shameful, and you’re not alone. It’s okay to have food thoughts during the day, such as, “Wow, that homecooked meal smells good,” or “I think I am getting hungry; I wonder what’s for lunch?” These thoughts are completely normal.

But if your thoughts sound more like this…

  • “What am I going to eat next?”
  • “When am I going to eat next?”
  • “How much can I have of that?”
  • “Am I allowed to eat that?”
  • “Will I gain weight if I eat that?”

Those constant, obsessive thoughts can be distressing! If you can’t seem to quiet the constant chatter, try these four steps to free your mind from food obsession.

Step one to stop thinking about food: Become aware

It’s hard to change something we aren’t conscious of, right? Start by paying attention next time you find yourself ruminating over what you just ate or fixating on what you’re going to eat next.

Say: “I notice I am obsessing over food right now.” Or “I notice I am unable to stop thinking about food.”

Step two: Interrupt the thoughts

You may not have control over those automatic thoughts, but you do control whether you engage with them. Once you become aware of your thoughts (from step one), go further and shut. them. down.

Say: “No brain, thanks for sharing, but I am choosing not to think about that today.”

Step three to stop thinking about food: Get curious

To stop thinking about food, you must understand what they’re all about. Allow yourself to consider what is beneath the surface. Do some self-reflection!

Say: “I wonder why I can’t stop thinking about food? What’s that really about?” or “What would happen if I let go of food thoughts today?”

Step four: Challenge the thoughts

So far, you’ve noticed the thought, stopped it in its tracks, and considered its source. Now, it’s time to take action! Challenge the thought. Change the narrative.

Instead of “Will I gain weight if I eat that?” try “Is that true?”

Instead of “When will I eat next?” try “What else do I get to do today?”

To Summarize: 

All behavior changes start with a mindset change. If you want to stop BEING out of control around food, you have to start FEELING in control around food.

My challenge to you is this:

Instead of allowing the food thoughts to spiral… acknowledge them, interrupt them, break them down, flip them on their head, and get ready to watch your thoughts (and your life!) open up BIG TIME 😊

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Your Not-So-Average Food Freedom Therapist & Virtual Coach

@itsryannnicole