In this episode, Alana unpacks the powerful question: is it nourishment or numbing when you reach for food? Sharing openly from her own experience of a challenging day, Alana explores the subtle but vital difference between eating to soothe and eating to escape uncomfortable feelings. She delves into the nervous system's role in food cravings and compulsive eating, guiding listeners to understand the roots of these behaviors – often wired in childhood as a way to regulate distress. Alana offers practical reflection tools and compassionate strategies to help distinguish true self-care from reactive numbing, empowering listeners to cultivate deeper presence, curiosity, and connection with themselves.

Leave us a voice message for our next Q&A episode!

Curious to learn more about working directly with Alana so that you can reconnect with your hunger and fullness cues, learn to eat whatever you want without rules, regulate your emotions and naturally lose weight so you can live with freedom and joy? Get started HERE! The Craving Reset Library is your on-demand toolkit for breaking emotional eating patterns in real time – without relying on willpower or rules. Inside, you’ll find fast-acting audio tools designed to interrupt cravings, regulate your nervous system, and retrain your brain to feel calm, clear, and in control. Whether it’s a 3-minute urge or a full-blown binge cycle, these resets put you back in charge. Click here to access the Craving Reset Audio Library and take control in the moment it matters most.

If you haven’t watched my free 30-minute training yet – Feeling Trapped in an Endless Cycle of Emotional Eating + Dieting? – it’s a must. I’ll show you exactly how to rewire the patterns keeping you stuck and finally create lasting freedom with food and weight… no tracking, no rules, no willpower games. You can watch it anytime, right here: ⁠Click here for FREE access⁠ 

Coming Home to Your Body → A self-paced course to help you feel safe, grounded, and at peace in a body that's still changing. Learn to build trust with your body now – not just after weight loss. ⁠Enroll here⁠

Explore more from Be Well by AK

Be sure to follow Alana on Instagram at @bewellbyak.

Takeaways

• Emotional eating can stem from a dysregulated nervous system.

• Nourishment and numbing are often confused; understanding the difference is key.

• Soothing involves being present and caring for oneself, while numbing is a disconnect.

• Food can serve as a tool for both nourishment and escape.

• Reflecting on eating habits can lead to greater self-awareness.

Chapters

05:19 The Role of the Nervous System in Eating

08:18 Soothing vs. Numbing: A Critical Distinction

10:51 The Cycle of Compulsive Eating

18:56 Finding Balance in Food Choices

21:33 Building Self-Compassion and Awareness

24:00 Conclusion: Healing Through Connection