You skip the snacks, say no to the bagel, eat clean all day. Then 8pm hits and you're in the pantry again. It feels automatic. Shame kicks in before the day even ends and you promise yourself tomorrow will be different. In this episode, I’m unpacking why this pattern is not about willpower, and why you are not broken. We’ll explore the powerful biological and emotional drivers behind nighttime eating, why restriction is a trap (even when it doesn’t look like one), and the first gentle steps you can take to break the cycle for good.

In this episode, you will hear:

• 04:49 – What ghrelin, neuropeptide Y, and dopamine have to do with your cravings
• 07:52 – The emotional undercurrent: fatigue, depletion, and pushing through all day
• 11:28 – What eating is doing for you emotionally (and how that’s not a flaw)
• 12:30 – The hidden restriction most of us don’t see: mental restriction
• 17:44 – My own story: late nights as a new mom and why food was my only moment of comfort
• 19:50 – 4 steps to break the cycle (that don’t involve more control or guilt)

I hope you leave this episode feeling more equipped to meet your needs (emotional and physical), understand your evening eating patterns, and take gentle steps toward a relationship with food that feels steady and safe, even after a long day.

If you found yourself nodding along with this episode, I’d love to hear from you. DM me on Instagram. And if you’re ready to break this cycle for good, take the Eating Personality Quiz or join the Food Freedom in a Weekend mini course. You deserve peace with food and you don’t have to get there alone.

One Body to Love 10-Week Intuitive Eating Program
https://meredithmackenzie.ca/intuitive-eating-program

Website - www.meredithmackenzie.ca
Instagram - @Dr.MeredithMackenzie
Facebook - Meredith MacKenzie Coaching
Pinterest - pinterest.com/parallelwellness
Youtube - @Dr.MeredithMackenzie

If you're craving more structure around food, but terrified of slipping back into old patterns, you're not alone. In this episode, I open up about my own story of navigating disordered eating, food freedom, and the confusing space in between. We’ll unpack what “gentle nutrition” actually is (and isn’t), the myths that keep so many women stuck, and the foundations you need in place before nutrition can feel safe again. If you’ve ever felt like you're doing intuitive eating wrong, this one is for you.

In this episode, you will hear:

• 01:08 – My story: how dieting began for me in university and how it spiraled into secretive, restrictive eating
• 03:56 – The moment I realized my relationship with food had become unmanageable
• 06:42 – 4 major myths about gentle nutrition
• 12:10 – Two key foundations to build before nutrition can feel supportive, and not triggering
• 17:44 – Real-life examples of what gentle nutrition might look like in everyday moments
• 23:04 – What trust with your body really looks like

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear what part stood out - message me anytime on Instagram. And if you're ready to explore nutrition without spiraling back into restriction, Food Freedom in a Weekend is here to support your next step. It's self-paced, accessible, and grounded in real-life tools to help you reconnect with food and trust your body. You’re not broken, you’re just ready for what comes next.

One Body to Love 10-Week Intuitive Eating Program
https://meredithmackenzie.ca/intuitive-eating-program

Website - www.meredithmackenzie.ca
Instagram - @Dr.MeredithMackenzie
Facebook - Meredith MacKenzie Coaching
Pinterest - pinterest.com/parallelwellness
Youtube - @Dr.MeredithMackenzie

If you’ve ever thought, “I know what intuitive eating is, so why does food still feel chaotic?” you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m unpacking the hidden barriers that make intuitive eating feel impossible, burnout, emotional disconnection, and body image struggles. You’ll hear real client stories, learn why capacity matters more than discipline, and discover how to reconnect with your body without turning it into another set of rules. If food freedom feels just out of reach, this conversation will help you see that the problem isn’t you, you might just need a softer, more compassionate start.

In this episode, you will hear:

• 01:44 – A client’s story of exhaustion, burnout, and turning to food for comfort
• 02:52 – What attunement really means and why it requires emotional and physical capacity
• 04:03 – How chronic stress dampens your ability to notice hunger and fullness cues
• 07:39 – The role of emotional literacy in healing your relationship with food
• 10:16 – Challenging deep-seated beliefs about weight, worth, and “health”
• 13:12 – My free “When You Can’t Tell If You’re Really Hungry” flow chart and how it helps you pause with compassion

If today’s episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Send me a message on Instagram and share what stood out most. If you’re ready to heal your relationship with food and receive compassionate support every step of the way, my One Body to Love program is here to help you break free from chaotic eating patterns and finally feel at home in your body. And if you’re craving a reset, download my free guide When You Can’t Tell If You’re Really Hungry or check out my Food Freedom in a Weekend. mini-course to get started today.

Until next time, be gentle with yourself. You’re building trust in a world that has taught you to doubt yourself, and that is brave work.

One Body to Love 10-Week Intuitive Eating Program
https://meredithmackenzie.ca/intuitive-eating-program

Website - www.meredithmackenzie.ca
Instagram - @Dr.MeredithMackenzie
Facebook - Meredith MacKenzie Coaching
Pinterest - pinterest.com/parallelwellness
Youtube - @Dr.MeredithMackenzie