The Science of Why You Eat When You're Not Hungry–And How to Stop | Judson Brewer
Jan 15, 2024
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Internationally renowned addiction psychiatrist and neuroscientist Judson Brewer discusses the science behind habits and how to change them. Topics explored include stress, boredom, mindfulness, pleasure, satisfaction, contentment, and the difference between habits and addictions. Dr. Jud also shares insights on the hunger test, the role of awareness in behavior change, and the impact of shame on personal growth.
Differentiate between emotional cravings and physiological hunger to develop a healthier relationship with food.
Recognize the 'pleasure plateau' during a meal and tune into body cues to stop overeating.
Practice mindful eating by being present and attentive during meal times to make choices that nourish the body.
Deep dives
The Science of Changing Your Relationship to Food
The podcast episode explores the science of changing one's relationship to food, specifically focusing on overeating and eating when not hungry. The guest, Dr. Judson Brewer, discusses habits versus addictions, the difference between hedonic hunger and homeostatic hunger, and the importance of paying attention to our bodies during meal times. He emphasizes the need for awareness and mindfulness in understanding our cravings and rewards when it comes to food. By calibrating our awareness, paying attention to our body's hunger cues, and recognizing the difference between satisfaction and contentment, we can change our eating habits and develop a healthier relationship with food.
The Hunger Test and Pleasure Plateau
Dr. Brewer introduces the 'hunger test' as a way to differentiate between physiological hunger and emotional cravings for food. This involves paying attention to our body's signals of hunger and exploring the rewards we seek from eating. He explains the concept of the 'pleasure plateau,' where our brain's reward value for eating reaches a maximum point during a meal. By paying attention and tuning into our body's cues, we can stop overeating and find contentment in eating just the right amount. Mindful eating and building awareness through informal practices can help recalibrate our relationship with food.
Practicality of Mindful Eating
Mindful eating is not about strict rules or diets, but rather about being curiously aware as we eat. Dr. Brewer emphasizes the importance of paying attention to our hunger levels, tuning into our body's signals, and noticing the rewards we experience when eating. By bringing awareness to our eating habits, we can differentiate between emotional cravings and physiological hunger. This allows us to make choices based on what truly nourishes our bodies. Mindful eating does not require excessive time or meditation practice, but rather the willingness to be present and attentive during meal times.
Taking Back Our Power
In a culture that pushes for certain aesthetic standards and manipulates us with engineered food products, Dr. Brewer encourages individuals to take back their power by paying attention and being curious about their relationship with food. By recognizing the influence of external factors and cultivating awareness, individuals can make choices that align with their own well-being. Rather than relying on strict diets or external rules, the emphasis is on listening to our bodies, recognizing the rewarding aspects of mindful eating, and developing a healthier, more empowered relationship with food.
The importance of mindful eating and reducing distractions
Mindful eating involves paying attention to our food and reducing distractions such as phones and TV. Putting down utensils between bites and being present during meals can enhance the eating experience.
Building awareness around eating habits and finding a bigger, better offer
Becoming aware of our eating habits and the results they produce is crucial. By comparing the rewards of unhealthy habits with healthier alternatives, we can make more informed choices. Developing a sense of unforced freedom of choice allows us to explore different options and find what truly feels rewarding and satisfying.
Dr. Jud breaks down how habits work and how to change them. Plus, insights on stress, boredom, mindfulness, pleasure, satisfaction, and contentment.
Judson Brewer M.D., Ph.D., is an internationally renowned addiction psychiatrist and neuroscientist and a bestselling author. He is a professor in the School of Public Health and Medical School at Brown University. His new book is called The Hunger Habit: Why We Eat When We’re Not Hungry and How to Stop.
In this episode we talk about:
The scientific evidence behind Dr. Jud’s approach
The difference between satisfaction and contentment
The difference between hedonic and homeostatic hunger
Why changing behavior may not require you to dig into your past