In a May 2026 online survey, U.S. adults were asked whether they constantly thought about food, even when they were not hungry, or felt their lives revolved around it. Reabetjoe 'Rea' Mokoko, a registered dietitian and chef known as The Cooking Dietitian, calls that persistent chatter "food noise."
The term describes an experience, not a formal diagnosis. The Society of Behavioral Medicine Omnibus Survey included 1,000 adults and was conducted online. Just over half of respondents, 50.89%, said they experienced food noise at least sometimes; 17.98% said often or constantly. Frequent food thoughts were reported by 22.70% of women and 12.68% of men. Among adults aged 18-29, the figure was 26.50%, as Medscape reported in October.
For some people, those thoughts become intrusive and hard to ignore. They can interrupt concentration at work or make responsibilities at home harder to manage. Mokoko says the reasons differ from person to person, so there is no single fix. The survey measured self-reported food thoughts with one question. Its results show associations, not causes.
Frequent food thoughts were reported by 56.77% of respondents who said they had lost control over eating in the previous month. The figure was 27.84% among those who restricted eating to change their weight or shape. It was 24.33% among those who had tried to lose weight in the previous year. These findings do not prove that dieting or medication causes food noise. The survey's strongest association was with reported loss of control over eating.
Start with changes that fit real life
Food can bring comfort after a difficult day. It can also become part of a habit or a way to connect with family and friends. For some people, it may be a subconscious oral fixation. The relationship with food is emotional as well as biological, and food noise can contribute to guilt or anxiety. Eating should not become a punishment. Food nourishes us, and it is meant to be enjoyed.
Mokoko works with clients to adapt familiar choices. Someone who enjoys crisps may find celery sticks an unrealistic swap, she says. A crispy potato snack made in an air fryer could be easier to stick with. For someone who regularly drinks sweetened beverages, gradually reducing the sugar or trying a satisfying alternative can be a starting point.
Small adjustments may be easier to maintain when they leave room for foods a person enjoys. A practical snack choice can begin with asking what you need from it. This snack guide explores that question.
Traditional South African foods can fit those changes. Mokoko points to sorghum and legumes, including beans, as filling, high-fibre and affordable foods rooted in the country's heritage. Healthy eating does not require expensive ingredients or imported "superfoods."
When to seek professional support
Mokoko suggests starting with one manageable adjustment. Reduce one sugary drink, for example, or add a vegetable. Another option is to make a starch portion a little smaller. There is no need to overhaul eating habits overnight.
Food noise is not a clinical diagnosis, and frequent thoughts about food alone do not establish an eating disorder. Repeated loss of control alongside significant distress is a reason to speak with a healthcare professional. So is disruption to daily life. A professional can assess the person's circumstances.
If weight continues to increase or food noise becomes louder, Mokoko recommends speaking with a healthcare professional. The World Health Organisation recognises obesity as a chronic disease, and seeking advice or treatment is appropriate. A healthcare professional can explore factors contributing to a person's weight and develop an individualised plan. Support may include nutrition guidance or physical activity. Behaviour-change strategies may also help. Prescription medicines may be appropriate depending on individual needs.
The Novo Nordisk Care website offers a BMI calculator and information about factors that may affect weight. It also provides a way to find a healthcare professional. The article was produced in partnership with Novo Nordisk.
