30/11/2025
We often talk about “food noise” as if it’s a mindset issue, but in integrative health, we look deeper.
Food noise is the constant swirl of thoughts about food: when to eat, what to eat, whether you should eat. And it’s almost always your body trying to get your attention.
It’s not a lack of discipline. It’s a message.
Food noise can be triggered by:
- Blood sugar instability (common with long gaps between meals, metabolic syndrome, PCOS etc, insulin resistance, eating more refined carbs, caffeine on an empty stomach, high stress)
- Low protein intake (your body asks for quick energy when you’re not fuelled)
- Gut discomfort (eating becomes soothing)
- Histamine reactivity (appetite and alertness firing at once)
- Stress and nervous system overload (cortisol, adrenaline and vagus nerve dysregulation)
- Hormonal or thyroid shifts
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Leptin resistance (making fullness signals quieter)
When we support the body, food thoughts often naturally soften.
Here are three integrative ways to quiet food noise:
1. Another way to quiet food noise is to support your dopamine system with non-food rewards like movement, sunlight or soothing activities, so your brain isn’t relying on food for comfort or stimulation.
2. Include protein, fibre, healthy fats at meals to support satiety. Following a Mediterranean diet is ideal (Did you know, you need a minimum of 1.2g of protein per kg of body weight?!).
3. Regulate the nervous system before meals, slow breathing, grounding, mindful presence (don’t eat on the go or mindlessly snack! Make it meaningful and enjoyable).
Nourishment isn’t just what you eat, but how supported your body feels when you’re eating.
If you’re struggling with food noise, it’s not a personal failure, it’s a sign your body is asking for care, balance and safety. And when you’re ready to see a practitioner to help with your change, book in a consultation with us through the link in our bio.
Holistic health, Mind–body balance, Root-cause healing