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 😊
More Blogs On Binge Eating:
- Just Binged? 5 Things To Do After A Binge To Heal
- 5 Things I Had To Do To Stop Binge Eating
- The Difference Between Binge Eating, Emotional Eating, and Overeating
