LET IT OUT Why We Eat Our Feelings (and What to Do Instead)—Tricia Nelson Explains
Dec 5, 2025
Tricia Nelson, an emotional-eating expert and author of 'Heal Your Hunger,' dives deep into the roots of emotional eating, sharing her personal journey from childhood traumas to using food as comfort. She discusses the importance of understanding buried feelings and stress patterns behind compulsive behaviors rather than relying on willpower. Tricia also highlights her Heal Your Hunger program, which focuses on community support and accountability for lasting change, emphasizing that true healing involves feeling rather than numbing.
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Emotional Eating Is Mood Management
- Tricia Nelson defines emotional eating as eating to change your mood rather than a willpower failure.
- She traces her own pattern to childhood trauma and family eating habits which normalized food as comfort.
From Childhood Trauma To Compulsive Eating
- Tricia recounts sexual abuse from age five and family patterns that led her to use food as solace.
- By 21 she was 50 pounds overweight and experienced violent self-hatred toward her body.
Recovery Is Ongoing Inner Work
- Nelson says there is no cure and relapse can happen, so healing requires ongoing practices.
- She emphasizes deeper inner work rather than short-term fixes like 12-step methods for many people.
