Bite Back with Abbey Sharp

Why Bad Diets Feel So Good (the REWARD & Dopamine High of Diet Culture)

Episode Summary

In today’s episode of Bite Back with Abbey Sharp, we explore why restrictive diets can feel so effective at first—even when they rarely lead to lasting results. From carnivore and cleanses to fasting and other influencer-endorsed trends, many diets promise to eliminate everything from bloating to brain fog. But if these approaches are truly the answer, why do they feel so difficult to sustain? In this episode, I break down the psychological reward cycle that makes dieting so seductive, and why an additive, sustainable approach is often far more effective for long-term health and a healthier relationship with food.

Episode Notes

Here’s a run down of what we discussed in today’s episode:

• The Honeymoon Phase of Dieting
• Why Restriction Feels Rewarding
• Rapid Weight Loss: Water vs Fat
• Metabolic Adaptation Explained
• Symptom Relief and Elimination Diets
• Why Dieting Creates a Sense of Control
• Rigid vs Flexible Restraint
• The Power of External Validation
• Why Most Diets Eventually Fail
• How to Break the Diet Cycle
• Building Sustainable Eating Habits
• The Hunger Crushing Combo Approach

References:

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/014976349500033B
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3124340/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306452223000416
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277539521001217
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1471015314000221
• https://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(19)30338-6/abstract
• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10865-016-9717-y

Disclaimer: The content in this episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is never a substitute for medical advice. If you’re struggling with with your mental or physical health, please work one on one with a health care provider.

If you have heard yourself in our discussion today, and are looking for support, contact the free NEDIC helpline at 1-866-NEDIC-20 or go to eatingdisorderhope.com.