Jessica Mack's popular IGTV weekly show "What's Cooking" evolved into a podcast.

Listen in each week, as Jessica discusses various important topics. Jessica speaks to you directly, and other times, engages in conversation with inspiring guests.

"What's Cooking" is a slang term used to ask what is happening in someone's life. It is a term that bridges people and connects people, just as food and cooking unite individuals.

Every episode will leave you feeling inspired, motivated, energized, and connected!

Welcome to What’s Cooking, the podcast! My famous IGTV show has evolved and I’m glad you’re here with me.

I’ve come to realize that the kitchen isn’t just for cooking. It’s also a place for connecting.  There are so many spiritual, emotional, and psychological issues surrounding feeling loved and feeling cared for when it comes to food. We’ll explore some of that here, starting with emotional eating.

If you’re wanting to redefine your relationship with food, and emotional eating is one of your struggles, the first and biggest step will be to define (or redefine) your why. Why are you wanting to reestablish your relationship with food?

1. Find a quiet, comfortable place with no distractions.
2. List what’s important to you.  People, places, hobbies, anything that brings you joy.
3. List what you love about you. What are you good at?
4. What prevents you from doing what you love? Be honest.
5. What does your dream life look like?

Take your time and really reflect on this.  Become aware of your self-talk and thought distortions that are getting in your way.

What type of eater are you?

1. Fuel eating: eating to provide nutrients. Ideally, this should happen 90% of the time.
2. Fun or joy eating: eating because it tastes good.
3. Fog eating: snacking while distracted, not realizing how much you ate.
4. Storm eating: eating when you’re not hungry, wanting to stop but can’t, also called stress eating.

Over the next 24 hours I challenge you to write down everything you ingest and label it as Fuel, Fun, Fog, or Storm eating.

Share your notes with me @drjessicamack

For more journal prompts and to join my community, visit https://www.drjessicamack.com/podcast

Music credit: Cafe Lounge by FASSounds

A Podcast Launch Bestie production

Continuing from the discussion about emotional eating in Episode 1, I’ll go into detail about the differences between physical hunger and emotional hunger. 

For example:

• Emotional hunger can happen suddenly. Physical hunger comes on more gradually.
• Emotional hunger shows up as cravings. With physical hunger, nutritious food sounds good.
• Emotional hunger can lead to regret, guilt, or shame. Satisfying physical hunger doesn’t cause those feelings because you’re giving your body what it needs.

Mindful eating is a practice that builds awareness of your eating habits. I can help you with this. You have more control over your cravings than you think.

Next time you have a craving, try this:

1. Take 5 before giving in to a craving and give yourself the opportunity to make a different decision.
2. While you wait, check in with how you’re feeling emotionally.
3. Accept your feelings, even the “bad” ones.

Learn to recognize your triggers by identifying the specific emotion that initiates the overeating and work on positive ways to cope with it that don’t involve food. Is there a social trigger like popcorn at a movie theater? There are even certain foods that can trigger the out of control eating.

In your journal, write down at least 2 emotional triggers, 3 social triggers, and 3 trigger foods.

Share your notes with me @drjessicamack

For more journal prompts and to join my community, visit https://www.drjessicamack.com/podcast

Music credit: Cafe Lounge by FASSounds

A Podcast Launch Bestie production