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Here’s what to expect from this episode:

Ever find yourself staring into the fridge (again) after a long day, wondering why you’re reaching for snacks you don’t even really want? Or maybe you’re convinced you just need more willpower to stop those late-night cravings but nothing ever sticks.

In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Melissa McCreary, a psychologist and emotional eating expert, to unpack why food so often feels out of our control and why “just diet harder” is the worst advice out there.

Dr. Melissa breaks down why so many women (especially us busy, high-achiever types) get stuck in this cycle. It’s not because we’re weak or “bad with food,” it’s because there are these sneaky hidden hungers like needing real rest, wanting a little compassion, or just peace and quiet that food temporarily fills. She drops a huge truth bomb that there’s always a reason you’re eating and if you don’t dig into it, no diet or strict routine stands a chance.

We chat about ditching self-blame, why simple steps can actually get you unstuck and Dr. Melissa even shares her go-to pause-and-ask-yourself questions that help you figure out what you really need in the moment. 

So if you’re tired of feeling powerless around food, overwhelmed by stress eating, or just curious what’s really driving those after-work pantry moments, hit play now. This episode might just change how you see emotional eating forever (and offer you a few “aha!” moments that aren’t in any diet plan). Are you ready to figure out the hidden hunger that’s been holding you back? Let’s dive in.

Meet Dr. Melissa McCreery: 

Dr. Melissa McCreery is a clinical psychologist, Emotional Eating Coach, and host of the Too Much on Her Plate podcast. For over 25 years, she’s helped smart, busy women overcome emotional eating by uncovering the Hidden Hungers—those non-food Hidden Hungers make cravings worse, food more tempting, and when they aren’t addressed, make it next-to-impossible to stop at just one taste or one serving. She’s also the author of The Emotional Eating Rescue Plan for Smart, Busy Women.

Melissa holds a Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in Clinical Psychology from Michigan State University, is an internationally certified coach, and a member of the American Psychological Association. Known for her compassionate approach and unstoppable belief that peace with food is attainable for everyone and that life is simply too short not to live your best version of it. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband.

Topics covered on what actually leads to emotional eating:

• Why willpower isn’t actually the missing piece when it comes to emotional eating
• The biggest myths diet culture has taught us about food, hunger and self-control
• The sneaky “hidden hungers” that might be fueling your out-of-control eating
• The three simple questions to ask yourself in the moment to bring instant awareness, even if you’re in full-on autopilot snack mode
• The top five hidden hungers Dr. Melissa sees again and again with women and how just identifying yours can start to shift your relationship with food
• How approaching your eating habits with curiosity, not criticism, can transform your health journey and help you make real, lasting changes
• Why jumping on another restrictive diet is NOT the answer and what actually works if you want a healthier relationship with food that sticks even when life feels overloaded

Resources Mentioned:

• Take Dr. Melissa’s Free Hidden Hungers Quiz to identify why you’re overeating
• Register for my FREE Training, 3 Steps to Sustainable Weight Loss Without Sacrificing A Life Well Lived
• Want to lose fat, fix your metabolism and tone your body for a lifetime without sacrificing the foods you love? Sign up to my transformative 8 week course, The Macro Body Method
• Ready to reach your body transformation goals the right way without restriction, sacrifice, or even dieting? Apply for my 4 month coaching program, The Macro Accelerator 
• Want to take the guesswork out of your nutrition and get a professionally tailored macro count to start transforming your body to look and feel your best? Grab your Custom Macro Assessment

Connect with Dr. Melissa:

• Visit her website 
• Follow her on Instagram @toomuchonherplate
• Find her on Facebook @toomuchonherplate
• Tune into her podcast, Too Much On Her Plate

Connect with Dani:

• Have any questions for me? Reach out to me here
• Connect with me on Instagram @mindinmymacros
• Subscribe to the show on YouTube @mindinmymacros

Related Episodes:

• Episode 10: The Psychology Behind Our Eating Behaviors with Jiordana Saade
• Episode 94: Yo-Yo Dieting: Why It Happens and How to Stop It for Good
• Episode 90: 4 Ways to Manage Your Hunger Hormones and Lose Fat

Thank You to our Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Bubbies Ice Cream. Don’t wait—paradise is just a click away! Head to bubbiesicecream.com/mindinmywellness for $2 off your next box.

More about Mindin’ My Wellness:

The Mindin’ My Wellness podcast is for busy, motivated and health-empowered women who are ready to kick old dieting mentalities to the curb and step into transformed health to look and FEEL their best, without sacrificing a life well-lived. Each week, your host Dani Marenburg and her guests will share top tips on all things macros, movement, mindset and everything in between. You’ll learn simple, effective and sustainable tips you can take away from each episode and implement in your daily life to look and feel like the best version of you.

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