The Psychology of Eating

By
Luca Sonzogni
|
December 13, 2024
6 min
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If you’re experiencing low energy, grumpy mood or sadness, indulging in chocolate, coffee or a piece of cake can provide a quick, albeit temporary boost to your mood. Understanding this is intuitively easy - it’s basic psychology. However, much of our food-behaviours can be traced back to certain emotional sources and with a bit of focus, and more conscious awareness, they can be much better understood.

Would achieving calm and positive emotions be a huge leap towards more energy, mental clarity and an overall better quality of life?

I feel my level of awareness, my capacity to clearly sense what’s going on inside and outside me has improved a lot in the past 10 years. I almost got rid of the constant internal chattering of the mind, which for me could become a big deal. This is due to embracing a yoga and meditation routine as well as cleaning up my diet. Do you know the nagging voice that keeps on moving from one thought to the next, from fear to desire, pleasure to pain? The internal judge, particularly active when under stress, persistently labelling, comparing and ruining your present moment. I found a way to tune it down to a minimum.

Hormones and neurotransmitters are, broadly speaking, responsible for the way we feel, our state of consciousness. Brain chemistry is constantly influenced by the external environment, which in turn affects an internal psychological make-up, personality traits and models of the world. This, in turn, impacts the way we emotionally experience life. Hormones play a crucial role in regulating metabolism, the immune system, sleep, reproduction, and have a significant impact on the whole body.

Our nervous system is the centre of all mental activity including thought, learning, and memory. Similar to a sponge, it absorbs and reacts to the various triggers and stimuli. Over time, through something called “neuroplasticity,” the brain changes and adapts, based on the types of stimulation we are exposed to and the chemical environment in which we live. Our brains possess a remarkable capacity to reorganize pathways, establish new connections, and, in some instances create new neurones and specialised brain cells, contributing to enhanced intelligence and resilience.

Food has a remarkable impact on brain chemistry, influencing it not only when you think, see or smell it, but also when you decide to consume it. As soon as the food enters your mouth, more potent chemical reactions are triggered. The hormone insulin holds such significance that it is referred to as a “Master hormone,” as numerous other hormones up-regulate or down-regulate depending on insulin levels.

It is clear that individuals constantly exposed to junk food may struggle to maintain positive emotions and a healthy nervous system.

Any carbohydrates or proteins in your food can affect insulin, glucagon, leptin, ghrelin, and neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Fat acts within specific brain regions to regulate a number of processes, such as neurotransmission and signalling pathways, which ultimately affects emotional behaviour. It is clear that individuals constantly exposed to junk food may struggle to maintain positive emotions and a healthy nervous system. In the junk food or low quality category, this may include mindless media, worrying news and clickbait entertainment, uninspiring or soul-draining work, processed food and drinks laden with toxins.

This psychological and chemical environment can create emotional and physical stress, leading to inflammation, pain, a restless nagging inner voice and ultimately, a desire to numb, escape, retreat or shut down. As brain plasticity adapts and reflects the lifestyle, it will embed unhealthy coping behaviours, bring back negative patterns and hinder progress toward more harmony and peace.

How do you break the cycle and start moving towards more positive emotions and a healthier, happier existence?

In a holistic system we could seek psychological support from a therapist, start moving the body more through sport or dance, actively relax or meditate, cut back on negative junk media and crucially, improve the way we eat. Once on a virtuous cycle, things may start to fall into place more harmoniously.

This translates to gaining more mental clarity and awareness, along with better energy and vitality. As the new lifestyle affects our brain plasticity, It becomes progressively easier to embrace positive changes, embedding newer habits, healthier patterns, greater creativity and joy.

Like the stock market, an upward trend is the key. Overnight transformations are rare; we may all face setbacks at times. I have personally witnessed major breakthroughs during fasting and yoga retreats. I am a living example of someone who has dramatically improved his lifestyle and overall health.

I stopped watching TV a long time ago, limiting my exposure to the news less than once a week. I eat gorgeous, balanced wholefood with lots of vegetables, fruit and good amounts of brain healthy omega 3. Yoga, meditation and exposure to nature are integral parts of my daily practice. Despite the occasional limiting belief, self-sabotage and moments of low confidence by a nagging inner voice, witnessing the healing process unfold is truly amazing.

You can enhance your nutrition with a little inspiration and a simple first step: eliminate processed foods, added sugar and industrial food. This will quickly balance blood sugar, lower insulin, reduce metabolic stress, calm inflammation and eliminate pain, discomfort, emotional cravings and energy swings.

Sometimes the best way to start is through a detox and a reset through fasting or intermittent fasting, or in some other ways. According to Yoga Master B.K.S. Iyengar, health is described as a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. Sounds amazing and I totally agree.

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