152 | Overeating Explained: Hunger, Habits, or Emotions?
Why Patients Overeat and Feel Out of Control
What’s really driving overeating: hunger, habit, or emotions? In this episode, I’m joined by Kate Johnston, a physician assistant turned eating habits and weight loss coach, to unpack why patients eat past fullness, why nighttime eating feels so out of control, and how to quickly uncover what’s actually going on beneath the behavior.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- The difference between feeling satisfied and feeling full, and why that distinction matters in patient counseling
- Simple questions clinicians can ask to figure out whether a patient is eating from hunger, distraction, routine, or emotion
- Why patients who “eat perfectly” all day often feel out of control at night
- Practical strategies to help patients build awareness, slow down, and stop overeating without shame or rigid food rules
If you’ve ever had a patient say, “I’m doing everything right, but I lose control at night,” this episode will help you understand why, and give you better ways to respond.
Resources mentioned:
FREEBIE! 10 Sentences to Start Nutrition Conversations
Episode 33: End Emotional Eating
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Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.