Diet Culture, Food Restriction, and Hunger Hormones: Understanding the Restrict Binge Cycle / Ep 195
Have you ever eaten past the point of fullness and immediately thought, “What is wrong with me?”
Maybe you told yourself you had no self-control. Maybe you promised you would start over on Monday. Maybe you felt guilty, frustrated, or ashamed, then tried to fix it with another plan, another set of rules, or another attempt to “be good.”
In this episode, we’re talking about the restrict binge cycle, and why the story you’ve been told about it may be completely wrong.
Because what if your eating patterns are not a sign that you need more willpower or self-control? What if your body is responding exactly the way it was designed to respond? And what if the very thing you keep turning to for control is the thing keeping you stuck?
We’re breaking down why food restriction can lead to intense cravings, overeating, and shame, and why willpower is not the answer most people think it is. We also talk about the sneaky ways restriction can show up, even when you are not technically “on a diet.”
You'll learn:
What the restrict binge cycle is and why so many people get stuck in it
Why overeating is not always a lack of self-control
How physical restriction and mental restriction can both affect your relationship with food
How hunger hormones shift when your body feels deprived, and why willpower was never going to win that fight
Why certain foods can feel more tempting when you label them as “bad” or off-limits
Why the guilt and shame after a binge keep the binge cycle alive long after the eating stops
How diet culture profits from making you believe you are the problem
Why self-compassion is such an important part of healing your relationship with food
This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt like they cannot trust themselves around food. We hope it helps you see that your body is not the enemy, and that there may be a much kinder, more freeing way forward.
Let’s rebrand wellness together!
Elizabeth, Tara & Maria
