Why Cravings Hijack Your Body: The Storage Hormone Secret

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