Nikki Levy, a content executive in Los Angeles, found herself in a familiar dilemma. Opening the DoorDash app, Vietnamese food was tempting. Yet, the 95% fat-free turkey thawing in her kitchen offered a healthier, home-cooked alternative. The app closed, then reopened, a cycle repeating itself. “I can go back and forth like this for an hour,” she admits.
Levy, who recently rejoined WW (formerly Weight Watchers) after a successful 35-pound weight loss journey before her wedding in 2019, recognized a pattern. Some weight had returned, and she was grappling with intrusive food thoughts, making it challenging to adhere to her plan. This internal chatter, often referred to as “food noise,” lacks a formal definition, but Levy describes it as a relentless “barrage” of thoughts pushing her towards cravings. “I’ll eat the thing and be revitalized and everything will be better,” she explains, “But it never actually is.”
Fortunately, strategies exist to quiet this food noise, with or without the aid of modern obesity medications.
Defining Food Noise: More Than Just Hunger
It’s normal to think about food. After all, sustenance is essential, and food plays a vital role in culture and enjoyment. However, when these thoughts become excessive and disruptive, they transition into what we call food noise.
Dr. Steven Batash, founder of Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center, notes its prevalence among his patients. “It often comes up with patients,” he says. “Some people become almost dysfunctional because all they think about all day is food.” This constant preoccupation can significantly impair daily life and well-being.
The critical factor isn’t just the presence of food thoughts, but our reaction to them, explains Dr. David Creel, a psychologist, registered dietitian, and exercise physiologist at Cleveland Clinic. “It can certainly be a problem,” Dr. Creel states, particularly if it drives unhealthy eating patterns, contributing to or exacerbating obesity and related health issues. Understanding the nature and triggers of food noise is the first step in managing it effectively.
The Limits of Willpower in the Face of Food Noise
Weight management is a complex interplay of factors, encompassing genetics, social dynamics, cultural norms, economic realities, and environmental influences. Psychology, particularly the phenomenon of food noise, is a significant piece of this puzzle.
Food-related thoughts can be sparked by internal biological signals, such as hunger hormones and appetite regulation, as well as external environmental cues. The aroma of freshly baked goods or a fast-food advertisement can easily trigger food noise, according to Dr. Creel. Both internal and external factors contribute to this mental preoccupation with food, often overwhelming willpower and hindering conscious dietary choices.
