Imagine your blood sugar is like a walkie-talkie enabling communication between different parts of your body; you want a clear, crisp transmission. However, more often than not, the sound has static and crackles. Snacking and erratic eating patterns can distort the clear voice of our blood sugar levels adding ‘noise’ that confuses the communication. You may experience a constant “chatter” in the back of your mind telling you that you’re hungry. 

All of this is what we call food noise, and in this post we are going to look at how it impacts our eating habits and what we can do to tune it out. 

WHAT IS FOOD NOISE?

If our blood sugar "walkie-talkie" was communicating clearly, it would exhibit steady blood sugar levels throughout the day. However, for many people, the ‘walkie-talkie’ has some interference: food noise. Food noise involves intrusive thoughts about food. Food noise can be triggered by frequent and inconsistent eating habits such as constant snacking, irregular meal timings, and consuming high-sugar or highly processed foods. It can also be triggered by your environment and emotions.

Blood sugar isn't just about energy; it's central to regulating our appetite. Think of it as a conductor orchestrating our eating patterns. Blood sugar fluctuations can lead to increased feelings of hunger, especially after rapid spikes and subsequent crashes. These fluctuations influence hormones like ghrelin and insulin, which play a key role in managing our appetite. 

Food noise can make it difficult to lose weight. With food noise, our body doesn’t receive clear communication around hunger, energy, and fullness. Someone who has high levels of food noise may often think about food, have intense cravings, and struggle to maintain consistent dietary habits. 

At the extreme, individuals with a high amount of food noise may suffer from binge eating disorders or a fixation with food. While this is at the extreme level, it is not uncommon to experience food noise to some degree – almost everyone does! 

REDUCING FOOD NOISE WITHOUT MEDICATION

It is possible to control food noise without using any medication. Here are some strategies:

• Eat regular meals: Aim for eating balanced meals at regular intervals.

• Limit sugary foods: These are the prime culprits for spikes in blood sugar.

• Drink water: Drinking water may help lower cravings and decrease hunger.

• Practice mindful eating: Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues and eat slowly. When you eat, focus on the flavors, textures, and sensation, making each meal an event.

• Identify your triggers: Are you genuinely hungry, or is it stress, boredom, or emotions nudging you towards the kitchen? Recognizing these patterns can empower you to take control of your food-focused thoughts.

THE IMPACT OF GLP-1 AND GIP RECEPTOR AGONISTS ON FOOD NOISE

For individuals constantly battling with persistent food thoughts, GLP-1 and GIP medications may help. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are hormones naturally produced in the gut. They play pivotal roles in regulating blood sugar levels, satiety, and even our brain's response to food. 

Medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide that mimic GLP-1 and/or GIP have shown promising results, not just in managing conditions like type 2 diabetes, but also in helping people regulate their appetite and food intake. A surprising side effect? They may also reduce food noise! While researchers are still investigating the exact relationship, many physicians and patients alike have noticed the impact of GLP-1 and GIP medications on food noise.

When you combine the effects of medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide with good eating habits, something great happens: your body's walkie-talkie will get closer to a clear sound. That means less food noise and an easier time reaching your weight loss goals. 

REDUCING FOOD NOISE WITH EllieMD

With semaglutide and tirzepatide, your food noise may be gone for good! Learn more about semaglutide and tirzepatide, and how ELLIEMD may be able to help you reach your weight loss goals. If you’re interested in seeing if you qualify for our medications, take our two minute quiz.