Understanding and Reducing Food Noise

Understanding and Reducing Food Noise

Turning down the Volume on Food Noise: Strategies for a Healthier Relationship with Food

Do you ever find yourself caught in a cycle of opening and closing food delivery apps, unable to decide between ordering in or cooking at home? Or perhaps you constantly find your thoughts consumed by cravings for certain foods, making it difficult to stick to a healthy eating plan.

Meet Nikki Levy, a Los Angeles-based content executive and story coach, who has experienced this internal battle with food noise. She describes it as a “barrage” of thoughts that push her towards the foods she craves, with the belief that indulging in them will solve all her problems. But as Levy has discovered, that’s never the case.

The phenomenon known as food noise, although lacking an official definition, refers to the excessive and intrusive thoughts about food that can become overwhelming for some individuals. For those who become almost dysfunctional due to constant thoughts about food, it’s time to address the issue.

When Food Noise Becomes a Problem

It’s important to recognize that everyone thinks about food to some extent. After all, food sustains us, nourishes us, and is a source of pleasure and cultural significance. However, when thoughts about food become excessive and harmful, it’s a cause for concern.

According to Steven Batash, MD, founder of Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center in Queens, NY, some individuals reach a point where food consumes their thoughts all day long, resulting in near dysfunctionality. This constant preoccupation with food can lead to or worsen obesity and other health conditions.

Why Willpower Doesn’t Cut It

Weight management is a complex process influenced by various factors, including genetics, social and cultural influences, economic circumstances, and the environment. Psychology also plays a significant role, especially when it comes to thoughts about food.

Food noise can arise from internal cues, such as hunger and appetite hormones, as well as external triggers like the smell of freshly baked cookies or enticing fast-food advertisements. Both internal and external factors contribute to the incessant thoughts about food that many individuals experience.

In recent years, a new class of obesity medications known as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists, including semaglutide, has emerged as a potential solution for managing food noise and obesity. Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic, is now also used as an active ingredient in the obesity medication Wegovy.

GLP-1 agonists, such as semaglutide, work by slowing down the rate at which food leaves the stomach, resulting in a prolonged feeling of fullness. These medications also target specific brain areas involved in appetite regulation. A small study demonstrated that individuals with obesity who took semaglutide experienced a decrease in food consumption and cravings for high-sugar and high-fat snacks.

While these medications have shown promise, it’s important to note that their effects are temporary. Discontinuing the medication often leads to the return of food noise. Therefore, experts like Steven Batash emphasize the need to combine medication with other approaches for long-term success.

David Creel, a psychologist, registered dietitian, and exercise physiologist at Cleveland Clinic, acknowledges the potential benefits of obesity medications but stresses that they should complement other strategies:

“I don’t think medication will solve things permanently for most people long-term, so being able to change your relationship with food is really important. Medication doesn’t make you exercise, control what you put in your shopping cart, or dictate what you do when you’re bored.”

Other Ways to Quiet Food Noise

For individuals who cannot or choose not to take obesity medications, there are alternative options for managing food noise. Although none of these approaches alone provide a perfect solution, they can help individuals develop a healthier relationship with food.

1. Work on stress and sleep: High levels of stress and inadequate sleep can exacerbate food noise. People often turn to food for temporary relief from anxiety and irritability. Finding positive ways to manage stress, such as deep breathing exercises, spending time in nature or with loved ones, or engaging in physical activity, can help curb food-related thoughts. In some cases, seeking mental health counseling or treatment may also prove beneficial.

2. Eat more often: Avoid letting yourself get too hungry, as extreme hunger can trigger food noise and lead to overeating. As advised by Steven Batash, staying hydrated and eating three to four well-balanced meals throughout the day, including sufficient protein and fiber, can help control food cravings and promote satiety.

3. Tweak your environment: Although you can’t control everything around you, you can make small changes to your environment that encourage healthier food choices. For instance, avoid keeping tempting treats like ice cream front and center in the freezer; instead, store them out of sight. Identifying patterns and breaking habits associated with food noise is also essential. If food noise tends to escalate while streaming shows, consider watching in a part of your home that’s farther away from the kitchen.

4. Eat more mindfully: Slow down and pay attention to your eating habits. Avoid distractions and engage all your senses while eating. Take the time to thoroughly chew your food and savor each bite. Stop eating when you feel satisfied, rather than continuing until you’re overly full.


Addressing food noise and developing a healthier relationship with food is a multifaceted journey. While medications like semaglutide offer temporary relief, long-term success comes from combining medication with changes in behavior and mindset. Strategies such as managing stress, eating mindfully, and tweaking your environment can contribute to quieting the constant food chatter. Remember, it’s not about silencing the noise permanently but rather finding a balance that allows you to enjoy food while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

For more coverage on obesity-related topics, check out the following articles:

  • Solving Obesity: New Drugs Can’t Change How Little We Know
  • Treating Obesity: Will New Drugs End the Crisis?
  • ‘Seeing’ Obesity: How Doctors and Patients Can Do Better