menu_open Columnists
We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

A Surprising Way to Reduce Hunger—Without Weight Loss Drugs

73 0
01.03.2026

What Contributes to Appetite?

Take our Emotional Eating Test

Find a therapist near me

Intermittent fasting can reduce the spikes and crashes that can intensify appetite.

Containment occurs naturally because you keep your eating time within a reliable window.

The benefit is not just about eating less; it is about thinking less about eating.

As a psychologist who has spent over 30 years breaking free from anxiety and overthinking, what fascinates me most about intermittent fasting isn't just the metabolic research, but what happens with the mind.

Most people discover something unexpected: they are much less hungry. This is not because they are using more willpower. It's not that they are distracting themselves. Rather, and this is huge, the mental noise about food gets much quieter.

Quieting the "I Must Eat Now" Loop

In a culture that encourages us to eat all day long, hunger has become a near-constant signal, along with the internal dialogue that precedes it. "Hmm, should I just eat now?" "I guess I can eat this and I will just eat less later." "Well, I already blew it for today, and I deserve a treat anyway."

That maddening mental loop pattern is identical to........

© Psychology Today