What Are We Sacrificing by Calling Hunger ‘Food Noise’? Understanding the Impact on Our Relationship with Food

When you search for “food noise,” you might land on foodnoise.com, a site related to Contrave, a prescription weight-loss medication. Contrave describes food noise as more than just hunger—it’s the constant chatter about food that disrupts our lives and makes healthy eating challenging. The site features an image of a confident woman at her kitchen counter, choosing not to touch a bag of cookies labeled “Comfort.”

For many of us, food noise can be overwhelming. I remember when I struggled with an eating disorder, torn between what I wanted to eat and my fears around food. This inner conflict often turns into bingeing and purging, where hunger screams out for attention when ignored. Depriving ourselves can lead to brain fog, irritability, and fatigue, pushing our minds toward obsessive thoughts about food.

Food noise is not just a personal struggle; it resonates widely in American culture. In 2021, the FDA approved semaglutide, known as Wegovy, for weight loss. Many found success using it, willing to pay up to $1,350 for the promise of silencing their food noise. That same year, the UN asserted that food is a human right, with only the US and Israel opposing this resolution.

This contradiction in America is interesting. We live in a country where many people face food insecurity, yet access to healthy food can feel elusive. Government subsidies often support items like corn, soy, and sugar, which can lead to unhealthy eating habits. Our collective health continues to decline even as the national obesity rates rise.

It’s important to note that thinking about food is not inherently unhealthy. Hunger is a normal signal from our bodies. Instead of labeling our thoughts as disordered, we should recognize them as natural. When we attempt to suppress our cravings, we might end up fueling the very issue we want to eliminate. So, what are we really trying to cure?

In social media discussions, many people share their experiences with food noise. TikTok, for instance, has become a platform for users to highlight their struggles and strategies for managing their relationship with food. Videos on this topic often garner significant engagement, demonstrating how common these feelings are.

As we navigate our food relationships, understanding the concept of food noise can help us address it healthier. It’s a reminder that being aware of our hunger and cravings is part of being human, not a flaw to overcome.



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