To think there must be a way to stop 'food noise' that isn't WLI's?

Type 2 diabetic here. I've controlled my eating with a lower carb, higher protein based diet. Once you cut out sugar and highly processed "dopamine hit" carbs, it's a game changer. Removes all cravings, which is basically what people describe as food noise. My GP won't have a bar of WLI's for diabetics, unless you've exhausted all other medications first. Touch wood, I'm off Metformin and just managing with a low dose of dapagliflozin. I've lost nearly 5 stone albeit slowly and most importantly, have kept it off.

This. I’ve lost and kept off 40 pounds with LCHF.

It’s probably the same mechanism as WLI. Since fat spikes GLP1.

Too add: I still eat pizza and stuff, but like the above poster, if I really, really want it and not that much of it (with apple cider vinegar in water first if I am feeling particularly glucose goddess like)

I’d be utterly miserable without food noise. I love to plan, cook, eat, plan the next meal. What I have found the best way to curb the thoughts are to eat whatever I want, when I want it.

For example I might really want some pizza, so much so that I can’t stop thinking about it even at 9am. So I just have some 😆 not always the whole thing, I make sure I’m within a calorie limit (deficit if needed, but TDEE limit otherwise).

I don’t mind tracking calories though, I like to be in control!

I lost weight with the fat jabs but am keeping it off (so far) with the following:

psyllium husk in water
loosely following the glucose goddess principles, to stop blood sugar spikes that then make me feel hungry
eating plenty of protein and good fats
avoiding crisps and chocolate etc. I’ve totally lost my sweet tooth which is a relief but crisps could well be my down fall
I did have a carb binge a few weeks ago, but it was because I ate crap, white carbs and then just wanted more. I didn’t feel better or happier afterwards and I haven’t done it again

Another vote for slimpod… it’s really helped me manage my attitude towards food.

But please be kind to yourself OP… you’re going through a life changing time both for your body and your mind.

I’m not going to talk about the post partum element of this thread as I think we’d all agree that it’s not the right time to be worrying too much about losing weight.

I know “food noise” is a contentious term - but only amongst those who don’t suffer from it!!! It’s relentless - thinking about food the whole time, even after a large meal.

I suppose it could be (unkindly) called greed but there is a reason for it - a healthy/balanced body would not “demand” more food when the body was satiated - it doesn’t make sense from a biological or evolutional perspective - I mean you couldn’t run from danger if you were constantly stuffed to the gunnels with food!

MJ activates hormone receptors involved in the regulation of food intake. People with food noise may be deficient in natural levels of these so MJ helps control food intake. But yes, you absolutely must increase your activity levels and eat healthy to lose weight in a safe manner and stop the weight going back on if you stop MJ.

I don’t get the argument about being on it “for life” as a bad thing. Millions of diabetics will be on it for life, same as literally billions of people are on other meds for life. Every single one of these was “new” at some point with no data on long term effects. But we still take these other meds. People just get sooooo hung up on the “taking it to lose weight” narrative, as if obesity wasn’t a threat to life.

Changing the narrative from “weight loss injections” to “licensed medications to correct hormonal imbalances that lead to overeating” might help move away from the belief that obese people are just lazy folk who eat too much.

That said. I’ve done the Atkins diet twice in my life and it did turn off the food noise. But it’s very difficult to maintain an ultra low carb diet (<20g a day) for a very long period of time. MJ had done this whilst allowing me to eat a more balanced/healthy diet than the Atkins. Losing weight has made it easier for me to go to the gym as it’s enjoyable now. The confidence boost from fitting into my clothes makes me want to exercise more and eat less.

It’s a complex process with multiple factors at play but it’s changing many people’s lives for the better. Why can’t people just be happy for us!

I think there needs to be some proper research about what ‘food noise’ actually is and what causes it before anyone can say what would work to stop it. It’s a new buzz word but I am not sure that it’s really agreed what it actually means.

Things it could be:
-Normal hunger signals that have got out of whack in some people (if so why and how can they be put right?)
-A psychological obsession with food that might be caused by repeated restrictions and dieting
-A reliance on food to meet other needs such as thirst, boredom or emotional distress that could perhaps be tackled with therapy
-an addiction to food similar to alcohol or tobacco addiction

I think it’s an interesting phenomenon but I am far from persuaded that it is wholly biological

High protein helped me.

I find that a low carb diet with mainly whole foods is as good as WLI for me.

Yes it will. The best way to lose weight is healthy eating and exercise.

No one yet know any long term effects from these jabs.

Ah, yes, the Dopamine hit problem.

It’s probably worth researching Dopamine Agonists if you have any worries about compulsive behaviour.

It’s a big topic, but well worth gaining some knowledge for now and the future.

Hint: It’s something that Big Pharma like to minimise.

I’ve gained about 3 kg over the last year due to being on medication where weight gain is a known side effect. I’ve also had a much stronger urge to snack than previously.

I tweaked my diet a few weeks ago:
cut the carbs a bit ( already weren’t high)
Bigger, really filling, protein rich breakfast
Started breakfast with protein and a bit of cider vinegar ( glucose goddess hack)
No snacks between meals unless really hungry. Eat plain nuts if I’m hungry.
Strictly no snacks after my evening meal
Almost no sugar, no UPFs

They weren’t big changes but the effect has been really noticeable- am much less hungry, and the desire to snack has just gone. I’ve also lost a bit of weight.

Might be worth making easy tweaks to start with? But I’d be gentle with yourself. Maybe you crave that dopamine hit because you’re exhausted and postpartum?

If I owned the world, I'd fine everyone £1 every time they typed or spoke the words 'food noise'.

Then I'd use the money to give everyone their own personal chef and home gym installation.

I started a post with a similar theme and had some useful advice. https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5231352-stopping-the-food-noise-thoughts-from-jab-users?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

My premise was that I could really identify with the idea of turning off food noise. But I don't think my GLP is all messed up so I didn't want weight loss drugs. What I wanted is to understand how to replicate the feeling of turning off food noise and I could just try and do it. I think that is similar to what you're saying?

Another recommendation for Slimpod. Great support and community.

Having said all that...it's been eight weeks! Give yourself a break as you are busy looking after your baby. Judging by what you have said, I wonder if it's a combo of thirst and tiredness causing you to overeat. You should be getting a truckload of oxytocin from breastfeeding.

Congratulations OP and good luck.

Sounds weird, but I don't buy sny foods that I actually like, and keep my food very plain, with no flavouring. Think plain chicken breast, steamed veggies, boiled potatoes. And one meal a day. I find it is about rigidity and breaking the link between food and pleasure. I have lost three stone in a year like this. I am autistic though, so I don't know how this would work with NT people. Also, I only eat alone.

Keep busy.
Do a job where you are only allowed to eat at set times and don't have long then.
Exercise. I'm never hungry after I've exercised. I'm starving if I've sat around doing nothing.

Ashwagandha tablets! After about 5 days on them (to help with calmness) I realised my food noise had gone. I don't think about when I am going to have the next treat all the time now.

Yes, I’m interested to know this.
What is the long term plan? To stay on them for life? What are the long term effects of this?
There is currently little long term research into the effects of these jabs on weight loss and health. Without meaningful changes to diet and exercise it will all just creep back on eventually.

I’ve lost 23 pounds since 1st January. I gave up added sugar and am low carbing. Once I gave up sugar the food noise has gone away. Like you I’ve been overweight most of my life before now and don’t want to go down the WLI route

Well firstly if you're breastfeeding an 8 week old you are almost certainly sleep deprived and need more food than normal to create milk, so do be kind to yourself - your body is amazing!

I can't pretend I have completely got rid of food noise but I think what you eat makes a big difference and, for me, particularly at breakfast - if I have a high carb breakfast (and that includes porridge) or a too small breakfast I'm ravenous by 10.30am. If I have a large portion of full fat Greek yoghurt and nuts followed by an apple I won't be hungry until lunch. And I will be satiated and not interested in snacks. A bowl of pasta for lunch = sleepy in afternoon and hungry mid afternoon but a large potion of veggie chilli, some brown rice and a generous grating of cheddar keeps me full. I would say fibre, fat and protein and good for satiety. Also making sure you eat enough at meals. If I eat too much sugar then I want more, more, more!

Basically eating tasty, healthy food and avoiding junk as much as possible helps - you need to listen to your body and work out which foods you find satiating and which don't work so well for you. I have found 'Why we eat (too much)' really helpful in understanding the biological mechanisms that drive us to over eat - I recommend reading on a kindle if you're breastfeeding!

Protein suppresses hunger. Protein combined with healthy fats is even more effective. Avoid all process carbs including pasta, rice and potatoes.

Me too.

Good noise lol, food noise obviously