Fighting festive food noise

Asked what their favourite thing about Christmas is, and many people will undoubtedly put festive food near the top of the list. And whilst daydreaming about a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, puddings, chocolates, sweets and treats is perfectly normal at this time of year, for some people intrusive thoughts about food can have a real impact on their life, every day of the year. Read on as the health experts at YourGP discuss the problem of food noise and what can be done to tackle it.

What is food noise?

Food noise can be described as intrusive thoughts or persistent, repetitive “chatter” within the mind about food, such as what to eat next. It is not necessarily related to hunger, many people experience food noise even when feeling full after a satisfying meal.

Various factors can trigger food noise, from boredom, stress and anxiety to external factors such as advertisements that may trigger cravings.

For some sufferers, it can be distracting and can affect their ability to concentrate. For others, it can be all-consuming and overwhelming.

Christmas temptations

For some people struggling to cope with intrusive food noise, Christmas can be a particularly challenging time of year. Festive food adverts are on constant rotation on TV, the shops are filled with seasonal treats, and hospitable hosts tempt every guest with the line, “Oh go on, it’s Christmas!”

Top tips to help quieten the noise

If you’re finding the food noise too much to deal with, try these strategies to help turn down the volume:

• Try to get to the root of your emotional triggers – is it boredom or stress, for example, that exacerbates the problem?
• Aim for a healthy balanced diet, with regular meals featuring protein, healthy fats, fibre and complex carbs.
• Plan your meals in advance, and prep and batch cook ahead of time if possible, so you always have a healthy meal in the freezer to help reduce the chance of resorting to takeaways.
• Be mindful of what, when and how you’re eating. To help, aim to make mealtimes screen-free times.

Need extra help?

Weight loss injections can be an effective tool in the fight against food noise, over-eating and obesity. Here at YourGP we take a holistic approach, providing not just the medication, but also tailored advice to help our patients make positive lifestyle changes to improve their overall health.

To find out if weight loss injections are right for you, book a consultation with one of our highly experienced doctors. We’ll listen to all your concerns, answer any questions, and ensure your weight loss journey is a safe and healthy one.

You can book an appointment by emailing reception@your.gp, or you can call us on 0131 225 5656 and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you, so you can look forward to Christmas and a healthy, new attitude to food in the New Year.