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In recent years, the term “food noise” has gained popularity—used to describe constant thoughts about food, intense cravings, or an inability to “shut off” hunger cues. Many people, especially college students and caregivers supporting loved ones, experience food noise as frustrating or distracting—something to fix or control in the name of wellness.

But what if food noise isn’t the problem? What if it’s your body trying to get your attention?

Hunger Isn’t a Failure—It’s a Survival Signal

Much of the conversation around food noise assumes it’s abnormal or disordered. But more often than not, food noise is actually hunger. Whether subtle or loud, hunger is a natural, biological cue that ensures our survival.

When we ignore hunger—through restriction, rigid eating rules, or shame—we often become more obsessed with food, not less. This is especially common in environments where dieting is normalized and thinness is overvalued.

If you’re craving carbs, your brain might be asking for glucose—not exhibiting a weakness. If you’re thinking about food all day, it could be because you haven’t had enough to eat. Food noise may be your body’s way of saying: “I need nourishment.”

Health at Every Size Is Often Misunderstood

This is where the Health at Every Size (HAES®) framework is so often misrepresented. HAES doesn’t promote unhealthy behaviors or ignore health. Instead, it shifts the focus away from weight and toward body respect, adequate nutrition, and accessible care for people of all sizes.

Critics often assume HAES promotes obesity or rejects physical wellness—but the truth is, HAES is grounded in evidence-based care that honors physical, emotional, and relational health. It challenges weight stigma in medicine and empowers people—especially those in larger bodies—to reconnect with their body’s cues without shame.

Dismissing someone’s hunger just because they live in a larger body can increase food preoccupation, disordered eating, and long-term health risks.

Listening to Your Body Is a Radical Act of Care

If you’re experiencing food noise, try asking yourself:

• Am I eating enough throughout the day?
• Are my meals satisfying and balanced?
• Am I mentally or physically restricting certain foods?
• What might my body need right now?

Hunger and cravings aren’t threats—they’re invitations to care. Trusting your body is not giving up; it’s tuning in.

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Looking for Support in Healing Your Relationship with Food and Body?

If you’re exhausted by food noise, dieting cycles, or feeling disconnected from your body, you’re not alone. I provide compassionate, evidence-based therapy for individuals navigating:

• Eating concerns
• Perfectionism
• Anxiety
• College transitions or mid-life changes

My work is rooted in psychological science, including Health at Every Size (HAES) and evidence-based treatments to address disordered eating. I also support caregivers seeking tools to help loved ones heal their relationship with food.