Episodios

  • Why Food Restriction Doesn't Work (And What Does)

    Why Food Restriction Doesn't Work (And What Does)
    Feb 9 2026
    If you’ve ever felt trapped in the cycle of restriction, cravings, and guilt around food, this episode is for you.One of the most common questions I hear is:“If I stop restricting, won’t I gain all the weight back?”In this episode, I gently—but powerfully—unpack why that fear makes sense, and why restriction, control, and calorie-counting actually keep the nervous system stuck in protection mode, driving binge eating and cravings instead of lasting peace with food.Why Restriction Triggers Protection ModeWhen we restrict food—calories, carbs, sugar, or “bad foods”—the body experiences it as scarcity. And scarcity doesn’t create calm eating. It creates urgency, obsession, cravings, and binge responses.I explain how restriction signals the nervous system that resources are limited, activating the survival response to store, crave, and overconsume whenever possible.The Intuitive Eating TrapMany people jump into intuitive eating thinking, “No limits, all foods allowed—I’ll just listen to my body.” But when the nervous system is already in protection mode, cravings aren’t intuition—they’re survival signals.This creates a frustrating loop: you stop restricting, cravings intensify, you assume something is wrong, and you return to control. I explain why intuitive eating can feel chaotic at first without nervous system regulation—and why that doesn’t mean it doesn’t work.Mind Hunger vs. Body HungerA key teaching in this episode is learning to tell the difference between mind hunger and body hunger.Mind hunger is urgent, loud, emotionally driven, highly specific, and craves fast, high-calorie foods.Body hunger comes in waves, feels calm and spacious, isn’t emotionally charged, and is open to many options.I explain why reconnecting to body hunger takes practice, especially after years of dieting.Power Foods & The Scarcity LoopWhen a food is restricted, it becomes powerful. The donut. The ice cream. The chips. Restriction creates obsession, dopamine spikes, and emotional attachment.I walk you through a thought experiment: What happens when you give yourself full permission to eat that food, as much as you want, repeatedly? The answer is consistent—the food loses its power. Not through willpower, but because abundance dissolves scarcity.Abundance Is How You Take Your Power BackFreedom with food doesn’t come from tighter control. It comes from removing scarcity. When food is allowed, urgency fades, obsession quiets, cravings normalize, and choice returns.I also touch on oral fixation and why the need to constantly eat may not be hunger at all, but rooted in deeper nervous system patterns the body still remembers.Key TakeawaysRestriction triggers survival modeCravings aren’t intuition when the nervous system is dysregulatedMind hunger is urgent; body hunger is calm“Power foods” only have power because of restrictionAbundance restores choiceTrue food freedom comes from safety, not controlClosing ReflectionIf you’ve ever feared that letting go of restriction would make everything spiral, you’re not broken. Your body has been protecting you the only way it knows how. Peace with food comes from restoring trust, safety, and abundance—one decision at a time.Book your FREE 30-minute Food Freedom Call now and start your journey to lasting change! Schedule here: https://sherryshabanfitness.com/clarityStuck in cravings, stubborn weight, or unwanted eating? Download my free e-Book Calm The Hormones That Drive Cravings and reset your body naturally.Get Your FREE Guide Here: https://sherryshaban.com/hormonesListen to more episodes at www.makepeacewithfood.com/podcast or subscribe to me on Spotify, Podcast, and YouTube so you never miss an episode!Join my Facebook Community: www.myfoodfreedomlifestyle.com Work with me: www.sherryshaban.com/transform Go deeper: www.makepeacewithfood.com Share your biggest takeaway and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn
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    12 m
  • Why Skipping the Next Meal Keeps You Stuck

    Why Skipping the Next Meal Keeps You Stuck
    Feb 5 2026
    Have you ever woken up after a night of eating past fullness — maybe snacking until 2:00 a.m. — and immediately thought,“I need to make up for this.”So you skip breakfast.You fast.You restrict.You punish.In this episode, I talk about why that instinct — the need to compensate or “undo” — is one of the biggest reasons cravings, binge cycles, and weight struggles keep repeating.1. The Restrict–Binge Cycle So Many People Live InI hear this all the time:“I eat really clean during the week, but on the weekends I completely derail.”I lived this pattern myself.What started as a Friday night “cheat meal” eventually became a full weekend of foods I told myself were off-limits — followed by guilt, shame, and restriction to make up for it.This isn’t about willpower. This is a nervous system pattern.2. When Fasting Becomes PunishmentIntermittent fasting can be a powerful health tool.But I share honestly how I used fasting as a way to punish myself for eating behaviors I felt ashamed of. Instead of supporting my body, I was triggering my nervous system into protection mode.The difference wasn’t fasting itself — it was why I was doing it.When restriction is used to compensate, punish, or “fix” yourself, it backfires.3. You Know What to Do — But You Can’t Sustain ItIf you:know exactly what to eathave tried every dietdo well for a few weeks, then self-sabotageThe issue isn’t lack of knowledge.It’s that your nervous system doesn’t feel safe enough to sustain consistency.4. Weight Is a Range, Not a NumberI explain why weight is not a single number — it’s a range.Daily fluctuations reflect:digestioninflammationhydrationstresshormoneseven the weatherWhen we react emotionally to the scale — restricting when it’s up or rewarding ourselves when it’s down — we reinforce food obsession and self-sabotage.5. Step 3: Do NOT Skip the Next MealThis is the core message of the episode:No matter what happened the night before —binge eating, emotional eating, nighttime snacking —Do not skip your next meal.Skipping meals in response to guilt or shame signals food scarcity to the nervous system.Adding self-criticism turns that signal into danger.And when the nervous system senses danger:metabolism slowscravings intensifyfat storage increasesbinge behavior becomes more likelyEating the next meal calmly is how you interrupt the cycle.6. Thoughts Trigger BehaviorBehavior doesn’t start with food — it starts with thoughts.A trigger activates an old mental loop.That loop pulls you into protection mode.Protection mode drives the behavior you’re trying to stop.Skipping meals strengthens that loop.Nourishment breaks it.7. Safety Mode Is Where Healing HappensWhen you eat the next meal without drama, punishment, or shame, you send your body a powerful message:Nothing bad happened.I am safe.I can move on.This is safety mode — parasympathetic, rest-and-digest.This is where:cravings calmfood noise fadesweight releases naturallyhealing happensClosing ReflectionThis episode isn’t about being stricter.It’s about being kinder.More patient.More grounded.You don’t need more discipline —you need more safety.And it starts with the next meal.Book your FREE 30-minute Food Freedom Call now and start your journey to lasting change! Schedule here: https://sherryshabanfitness.com/clarityStuck in cravings, stubborn weight, or unwanted eating? Download my free e-Book Calm The Hormones That Drive Cravings and reset your body naturally.Get Your FREE Guide Here: https://sherryshaban.com/hormonesListen to more episodes at www.makepeacewithfood.com/podcast or subscribe to me on Spotify, Podcast, and YouTube so you never miss an episode!Join my Facebook Community: www.myfoodfreedomlifestyle.com Work with me: www.sherryshaban.com/transform Go deeper: www.makepeacewithfood.com Share your biggest takeaway and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn
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    16 m
  • How To End Irresistible Cravings

    How To End Irresistible Cravings
    Feb 2 2026
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    1 h y 7 m
  • Why Cravings Hijack Your Body: The Storage Hormone Secret

    Why Cravings Hijack Your Body: The Storage Hormone Secret
    Jan 29 2026
    This episode is for you if you’ve ever wondered why your body seems to hold onto fat, why cravings hit even when you just ate, or why dieting alone never seems to work.In this episode, I break down the storage hormone, insulin, and why understanding it is not just about biology—it’s about how your mind, habits, and environment shape your hormonal responses. I share practical ways to reduce cravings, balance hormones, and eat in a way that actually supports your body.1. Insulin Isn’t Just About FoodMost people think insulin is purely biological: “Eat sugar → insulin rises → fat storage happens.” But here’s what I want you to know: your mind controls it too.Thoughts, anticipation, and habits can trigger insulin release.Insulin signals: “We have excess energy—store it, don’t release it.”Paired with cortisol (the stress hormone), insulin drives cravings and fat storage more than you realize.Your biology is responding to your thoughts and environment as much as your plate.2. Everyone Responds DifferentlyI’ve seen it hundreds of times in the Make Peace With Food program: no two people respond the same way to food.Certain foods trigger more insulin in some people than others.Your sleep, stress, activity, and lean muscle mass all influence insulin’s effect.That’s why a personalized metabolic blueprint is so powerful—it shows you exactly which foods are truly nourishing for your body.Forget generic diets. Your hormones hold the real answers.3. Food Pairing & TimingIt’s not just what you eat—it’s how you pair it and when.Pairing carbs with protein, fat, or fiber reduces insulin spikes.Eating according to your circadian rhythm helps your body use energy efficiently.Anticipation of food triggers insulin before the first bite, creating cravings and prepping digestion.Understanding this alone can change how you respond to cravings.4. Cravings, Scarcity, and StressStress drives cravings at the hormone level:Cortisol increases blood sugar needs for immediate energy.Insulin follows, storing sugar and locking away energy.The drop in blood sugar afterward is what we feel as cravings.I share a personal story from hosting my retreat in Greece—stress and scarcity triggered intense cravings even though food was abundant. This shows how mindset directly interacts with hormones.5. Actionable StepsMonitor your hormones: notice stress, sleep, and food triggers.Mindful pairing: combine foods to balance glucose response.Strength training: lean muscle mass improves insulin efficiency.Anticipation awareness: notice how thoughts about food trigger cravings.Shift scarcity mindset: create safety around eating by experimenting with what nourishes you.The Reframe I Want You to Take With YouInstead of asking:“What should I eat?”I want you to start asking:How does this affect my hormones?Am I eating from safety or scarcity?What patterns am I reinforcing?What does my nervous system need right now?Transformation doesn’t come from control.It comes from understanding.Key TakeawaysThe storage hormone is influenced by both biology and mindsetThere is no universal “healthy” foodStress and cravings are hormonally linkedAnticipation alone can trigger storageFood fear creates overeating — safety creates balanceHormone awareness beats calorie countingBook your FREE 30-minute Food Freedom Call now and start your journey to lasting change! Schedule here: https://sherryshabanfitness.com/clarity Listen to more episodes at www.makepeacewithfood.com/podcast or subscribe to me on Spotify, Podcast, and YouTube so you never miss an episode!Join my Facebook Community: www.myfoodfreedomlifestyle.com Work with me: www.sherryshaban.com/transform Go deeper: www.makepeacewithfood.com Share your biggest takeaway and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn
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    1 h y 11 m
  • Why Counting Calories Causes Weight Gain

    Why Counting Calories Causes Weight Gain
    Jan 26 2026
    If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of dieting, obsessing over calories, or feeling guilty after eating, this is for you.I am sharing about the shift that changes everything: moving from calorie counting to hormone-focused self-care. I’ll unpack why your mood, sleep, environment, and interactions matter as much—if not more—than the numbers on a plate.1. Why Behavior Trumps CaloriesIn my Calm the Cravings and Break the Cycle masterclasses, people always ask me about hormones. While I do touch on cortisol and insulin briefly, the real shift comes when you start noticing how your choices throughout the day affect your hormones—from the food you eat to the people you spend time with, the environments you’re in, and even your sleep and mood.Instead of tracking calories, I encourage you to pay attention to how your body feels and how your emotions guide you. These are signals from your nervous system, pointing to what’s really going on above the shoulders.2. Meet Your Master Hormone: CortisolMost advice online focuses on carbs, sugar, or fat—but hardly anyone talks about cortisol, your master hormone.I explain how cortisol:Releases anytime you’re in protection modeSlows metabolism and triggers cravingsBlocks rational thinking, making it harder to resist emotional eatingAffects insulin, thyroid, estrogen, and moreChronic high cortisol can create weight gain, PMS, menopausal symptoms, water retention, and the sense that nothing you do works—even when you’re trying your best.3. Your Environment & Mindset MatterWhere you work, who you spend time with, and how you think daily influence your hormones more than diets ever could.I’ve learned that:Negative self-talk and perfectionism constantly trigger cortisolYoga, meditation, or exercise alone can’t fix your nervous system if your thoughts keep firing stress signalsThe key is regulating your nervous system and adjusting your environment4. My JourneyI got into health and fitness after chronic back pain and a car accident at 16. Exercise healed me, and I fell in love with movement. But the fitness world led me into a maze of diets—calorie counting, keto, paleo, low-fat, macros—ending in secret bingeing and guilt.The real breakthrough came when I stopped punishing myself with food and exercise and started focusing on hormone regulation, nervous system balance, and emotional awareness. That’s when lasting change happened.5. The Big TakeawayStop obsessing over food numbers.Pay attention to how your choices affect your nervous system and hormones.Listen to your cravings and emotions—they’re signals, not failures.Small shifts in your thoughts and environment can create massive changes in energy, weight, and mood.Health and weight release start above the shoulders. Once your nervous system and hormones are balanced, everything else falls into place.Book your FREE 30-minute Food Freedom Call now and start your journey to lasting change! Schedule here: https://sherryshabanfitness.com/clarity Listen to more episodes at www.makepeacewithfood.com/podcast or subscribe to me on Spotify, Podcast, and YouTube so you never miss an episode!Join my Facebook Community: www.myfoodfreedomlifestyle.com Work with me: www.sherryshaban.com/transform Go deeper: www.makepeacewithfood.com Share your biggest takeaway and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn
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    1 h y 4 m
  • How Your Nervous System Reacts to Triggers & Dysregulated Emotions

    How Your Nervous System Reacts to Triggers & Dysregulated Emotions
    Jan 22 2026

    Have you ever wondered why, no matter how hard you try, you keep falling into the same food and emotional patterns? If you feel stuck in cycles of emotional eating, self-sabotage, or using food for comfort or distraction, this episode is for you.

    In this episode, I dive deep into one of the most powerful forces shaping your relationship with food and your behaviors: your triggers. These patterns aren’t accidents or a lack of willpower—they’re deeply ingrained programs in your mind and nervous system. And the good news? They can be recognized, understood, and transformed.

    We explore how triggers exist in all five senses—smells, sounds, tastes, sights, and touch—and how they activate dysregulated emotions that feel hard or impossible to sit with. These emotions aren’t weaknesses; they’re signals from your nervous system shaped by past experiences, conditioning, and unmet emotional needs.

    I break down the difference between protection mode and safety mode, and why your nervous system state plays a massive role in emotional eating, weight loss resistance, and habit change. This is the missing piece most diets never address.

    You’ll learn:

    • Why emotional eating is an automatic response, not a personal failure

    • How triggers activate unconscious thoughts, beliefs, and coping behaviors

    • Why awareness alone begins to unravel patterns

    • How learning to sit with emotions retrains your nervous system

    • Practical steps to gently interrupt old patterns without judgment

    This episode will help you see that your food choices and habits are deeply linked to how safe your body feels—not discipline or willpower.

    Awareness is your superpower. Once you can see the “movie” of your triggers, you can pause, choose differently, and begin rewiring patterns that no longer serve you. Healing happens step by step, with patience, self-compassion, and curiosity—and your next decision is the one that shapes your transformation.


    Listen to more episodes at www.makepeacewithfood.com/podcast or subscribe to me on Spotify, Podcast, and YouTube so you never miss an episode!

    Join my Facebook Community: www.myfoodfreedomlifestyle.com

    Work with me: www.sherryshaban.com/transform

    Go deeper: www.makepeacewithfood.com

    Share your biggest takeaway and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn
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    12 m
  • Sugar Isn't The Problem, This Hormone Is! Here's What Most People Don't Know

    Sugar Isn't The Problem, This Hormone Is! Here's What Most People Don't Know
    Jan 19 2026

    If you’re fighting cravings and blaming your willpower, this episode reframes everything you’ve been taught about food and self-control.Cravings are not a discipline problem — they’re biology. Sugar isn’t the enemy. Dysregulated insulin is.In this episode, we unpack why cravings are driven by insulin crashes, not sugar itself, and how stress, poor sleep, under-eating, skipped meals, high cortisol, and nervous system safety play a far bigger role than willpower ever could. You’ll learn why “sugar-free” and artificial sweeteners can worsen cravings, how sweet taste alone can spike insulin, and why satisfaction matters just as much as fullness.We explore the difference between blood sugar crashes and true biological cravings, why old diet science keeps you stuck, and how food communicates safety (or danger) to the nervous system. You’ll also learn how balanced meals, proper timing, and hormone regulation quiet food noise — without restriction or removing foods you love.Key takeaways:• Cravings are signals, not flaws• Sugar is not the problem — insulin is• Stress, sleep, and under-fueling matter as much as food• Sweet taste alone can spike insulin• Being full is not the same as being satisfied• Balanced hormones create effortless intuitionIf this episode challenged what you’ve been taught, there’s a free Hormone Reset Guide available. Comment “HORMONES” wherever you’re listening to receive it.This conversation isn’t about control — it’s about understanding your body and working with it instead of against it.Listen to more episodes at www.makepeacewithfood.com/podcast or subscribe to me on Spotify, Podcast, and YouTube so you never miss an episode!Join my Facebook Community: www.myfoodfreedomlifestyle.com Work with me: www.sherryshaban.com/transform Go deeper: www.makepeacewithfood.com Share your biggest takeaway and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn
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    28 m
  • Why you should STOP WEIGHING YOURSELF

    Why you should STOP WEIGHING YOURSELF
    Jan 15 2026
    What if the scale isn’t keeping you accountable… but actually keeping you stuck?In this episode, I’m inviting you to question one of the most normalized habits in health culture — weighing yourself — and explore how focusing on hormones, your nervous system, and internal cues can completely transform your relationship with food, cravings, and your body.Stop letting the scale dictate your worth. I share how tuning into your body, balancing your hormones, and restoring nervous system safety can help you reclaim your health — without fear, obsession, or restriction.1. Trends I’m Seeing on Social MediaRight now, I notice trends pushing extreme protein intake, obsessive macro tracking, and “skinny is beautiful” messaging making a comeback. These cycles can trigger comparison, stress, and fear if you’re not mindful.2. Standing Guard at the Door of Your MindYour body and mind consume more than food. What you watch, read, and discuss affects your nervous system and choices. I invite you to be aware and intentional about what you let in.3. Why I Recommend Stopping the ScaleThe scale sabotages health goals in five ways:Disconnects you from your natural hunger and fullness cuesCreates fear and food obsessionDoesn’t measure real progressTriggers cortisol and stressHijacks your brain’s reward systemInstead, I focus on how my body feels, my energy, and natural cravings, which allows you to tune into your body more authentically.4. Hormone-Based Health ResetI focus on balancing key hormones:Cortisol: drives cravingsInsulin: regulates energyGhrelin & Leptin: hunger and satietyBy doing this, cravings decrease, appetite regulates naturally, sleep improves, and I feel safe in my body — without dieting or willpower battles. You’ll notice your cravings shift and your eating patterns change naturally too.5. Nervous System RegulationTrue regulation isn’t just journaling or breathing. It’s about feeling safe in your body, even around triggers like the scale. Healing past trauma, fear, and food-related anxiety helps shift your nervous system from protection mode to safety mode, which supports lasting change in how you relate to food and your body.6. Taking Action in 2026Step away from weighing and calorie trackingTune into your body’s internal cuesNotice how food, habits, and thoughts make you feelFocus on hormone balance instead of numbersI also share my Six-Week Hormone Reset and a free Hormone Reset Guide, which helps me:Learn my chronotypeOptimize sleep and movementBalance cortisol and insulinRestore hunger and satiety cues naturallyKey TakeawaysSocial media trends don’t define your healthThe scale creates fear and sabotages progressFocus on internal signals instead of numbersHormone and nervous system regulation are key to lasting changeSafety, awareness, and self-trust are the foundation of food freedomJournal PromptsHow does weighing yourself make you feel?What cues is your body giving you that you might be ignoring?Which social media trends trigger fear or comparison?How would focusing on hormone balance change your approach to food?What small actions today can shift you from protection mode to safety mode?Listen to more episodes at www.makepeacewithfood.com/podcast or subscribe to me on Spotify, Podcast, and YouTube so you never miss an episode!Join my Facebook Community: www.myfoodfreedomlifestyle.com Work with me: www.sherryshaban.com/transform Go deeper: www.makepeacewithfood.com Share your biggest takeaway and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn
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    36 m