When Willpower Isn’t Enough: How to Actually Break the Emotional Eating Cycle

You know what to eat. So why are cookies calling your name at 9pm?

In today’s episode of Eat Meat Sparingly, Ali tackles one of the most frustrating challenges many of us face on a plant-based or health-conscious journey: emotional eating.

Whether it’s stress, boredom, or just needing something to look forward to at the end of a long day, we often turn to food for reasons that have nothing to do with hunger. Ali breaks down:

💛 What emotional eating really is
💛 How to know if you’re doing it
💛 The 4 A’s that can help you break the cycle:
 • Awareness
 • Acceptance
 • Allowance
 • Adjustment
💛 Powerful tips like the “10-minute pause” and “I really want ___ because ___”
💛 How your nervous system, upbringing, and even church potlucks play a role

You’ll also hear personal stories, research-backed examples (including the stale popcorn study!), and spiritual insights from the Word of Wisdom that reframe emotional eating through a compassionate, gospel-centered lens.

✨ If you’ve ever used food to stuff emotions or soothe stress, this episode will feel like a warm, honest hug… and a gentle nudge forward.

🎟️ Come see Ali speak live!
She’ll be at the Faith Matters Restore Gathering in Orem, Utah on Sept 26–27 sharing “The Deeper Wisdom in the Word of Wisdom.”
Use code PLANTWHYS for 10% off tickets at faithmatters.org

👩‍💻 Resources Mentioned:

• Try the Emotional Eating Reset inside the PlantWhys Membership
• Subscribe to Ali’s YouTube channel for simple, plant-based recipes

00:00 Exciting Announcement: Restore Gathering at UVU

00:49 Understanding Emotional Eating

01:22 Identifying Emotional Eating Triggers

05:24 The Emotional Eating Cycle

06:33 Distinguishing Emotional Hunger from Physical Hunger

09:34 Common Reasons for Emotional Eating

13:48 Breaking the Habit: Strategies to Overcome Emotional Eating

18:10 The Power of Acceptance

19:16 Curiosity Over Judgment

20:33 Allowance and Creating Space

23:48 Mindful Eating Practices

28:23 Healthy Lifestyle Habits

31:41 Final Thoughts and Support