We spend so much time obsessing over what we eat. Macros, calories, ingredients, food labels… the perfect anti-inflammatory, hormone-balancing, gut-healing meal plan. And yeah, of course what we eat matters.
But here’s what most people miss—and what honestly blew my mind when I really got it: It’s not just about what we eat. It’s about what we believe about what we eat. That one shift changes everything.
In his latest article, leading metabolism expert Dr. Jade Teta talks about a study where two groups drank the exact same milkshake. One group was told it was “indulgent and rich.” The other group was told it was a “sensible, low-calorie shake.” Same ingredients. Same calories. But their bodies responded totally differently.
The ones who believed they were having the indulgent treat had triple the drop in ghrelin—the hunger hormone. Translation? They felt fuller, more satisfied, and hormonally responded like they had just had a huge meal.
That’s not mindset woo. That’s biology responding to belief.
It’s the same reason your metabolism doesn’t just shift because you restrict carbs or eat more protein—it shifts because your identity, your expectation, and your emotional state shift.
Your body doesn’t just metabolize food. It metabolizes meaning.
Think about it: How many times have you eaten something “clean” or “healthy”—but were stressed, rushed, or criticizing yourself the whole time? Or maybe you ate a cookie or some pizza and told yourself, “This is bad… I shouldn’t be doing this… I’m ruining everything.”
Even if the food isn’t inherently harmful, that inner dialogue creates stress—which affects blood sugar, digestion, inflammation, and more.
You could eat the most nourishing meal in the world, but if you’re eating it in a state of guilt, shame, or fear… your biology feels that.
That’s why I’m always talking about nervous system safety, emotional regulation, and mindset.
Because you could eat “perfectly” and still feel like crap if your beliefs are working against you.
These beliefs—the ones quietly running in the background—are literally shaping your health. And the wild part? Once you see this, you can’t unsee it.
You start noticing how your body reacts not just to food, but to your thoughts about food. You start catching those moments where your nervous system is responding to fear, not fuel.
And you start creating space for a different story. A story your body can actually heal inside of.
So no, it’s not all about discipline or “eating clean.” It’s about what you believe while you’re doing it. And that changes everything.
