Hey everyone!

If you’ve ever found yourself snacking without thinking, struggling to stop at “just one more,” or feeling stuck in a cycle of food guilt, this episode is for you.

As ADHDers (or anyone who struggles with habits), we know that habits shape everything—both positively and negatively. Food, in particular, is a huge part of this because we have to make decisions about it multiple times a day. But what happens when impulsivity, dopamine-seeking behaviors, and mindless eating take over?

In this week’s episode of The Optimization Toolbox, I sit down with Jessica, a health coach specializing in food freedom, to unpack:

• Why ADHD brains struggle with dopamine-driven food habits

• How our habit loops around food can either support or sabotage us

• Why impulse control isn’t about willpower (and what actually helps)

• Simple, ADHD-friendly strategies to make eating decisions easier

This conversation hit so close to home for me, and I know so many of you will relate. If you’ve ever wondered why you eat when you’re not hungry, struggle to plan meals, or get caught in food FOMO, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

🎙 Connect with Jessica:

💻 Website: https://www.thisisyourlifecoaching.com/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisyourlifehealthcoaching/

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-guerrero-3164b1100

0:00 - Welcome to The Optimization Toolbox

1:14 - Meet Jessica: A Health Coach’s Journey from Nursing to Food Freedom

3:50 - How Diet Culture Shaped Jessica’s Early Relationship with Food

8:25 - The Turning Point: Breaking Free from Food Obsession

12:15 - What is Food Freedom? A New Perspective on Eating

14:42 - Understanding Intuitive Eating: Tuning into Your Body

18:10 - Habit Loops & Emotional Eating: Why We Keep Repeating Patterns

22:05 - The Role of Dopamine in Cravings and Emotional Eating

26:30 - Managing Triggers: Stress, Boredom & Unpreparedness

30:40 - Meal Planning & Prepping When You Hate Planning

34:20 - Breaking the Cycle of Food Guilt & Perfectionism

37:05 - Final Thoughts: Self-Compassion & The Path to Food Freedom

Get full access to The Optimization Toolbox by Jenna Redfield at jennaredfield.substack.com/subscribe

Breaking the Habit Loop: Food, Dopamine & Emotional Eating with Jessica Guerrero