Manage Your Eating Habits So That They Don't Manage YouManage Your Eating Habits So That They Don't Manage You
Shrink, the podcast for the mind
Philippe Tahon talks through how everyday eating habits form, what they really do for people, and how small, conscious changes might make those habits feel less controlling. The focus stays on awareness, experimentation and self-compassion rather than strict rules or willpower.
58:12•21 Oct 2026
Taking Back Control from Your Eating Habits
Episode Overview
- Notice when you are eating out of habit rather than hunger, and ask what the behaviour is giving you.
- Question old food rules learned in childhood or from diet culture, keeping only those that still serve you.
- Change habits by starting with small, realistic adjustments instead of trying to overhaul everything at once.
- When a habit meets a need, plan alternative ways to meet that same need rather than simply removing the behaviour.
- Expect occasional slips and respond with kindness, using them as information rather than proof of failure.
“If a habit serves a purpose, changing it becomes much easier when we find another way to serve that same purpose.”
Ever wondered what it takes to change everyday habits without feeling you're at war with yourself? Shrink, the podcast for the mind, hosted by psychotherapist Philippe Tahon, takes a close look at how eating routines quietly run the show in daily life – and how you can get back in charge.
Philippe talks through familiar scenes: biscuits disappearing while you work, wine poured the minute you walk through the door, dessert ordered at a restaurant just because "that’s what you do". Rather than labelling these behaviours as good or bad, he asks a different question: are they conscious choices, or automatic scripts you picked up over years?
His core message is clear: "If a habit serves a purpose, changing it becomes much easier when we find another way to serve that same purpose." You’ll hear how childhood rules about clearing your plate, rewards with sweets, and family traditions shape adult eating patterns, often long after the original situation has passed. Philippe also talks about how beliefs from diet culture and social media can turn food into a constant source of pressure, even when you "know" better.
Instead of strict plans and willpower, he suggests a practical, kinder process: notice what you do, understand what it gives you (comfort, connection, control, a break), then experiment with small changes. That might mean tweaking your lunch break, adjusting evening routines, or rethinking shared rituals like drinks with a partner or Sunday meals with family. Throughout, there’s a strong emphasis on self-compassion. Slipping back into old habits isn’t framed as failure, but as part of being human.
The aim isn’t perfect eating; it’s feeling less controlled by habits and more free to choose what genuinely works for you. If you’ve ever felt stuck in repeat patterns around food, this thoughtful conversation might help you ask, "What do my habits really do for me – and what would I like them to do instead?"
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