In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with Eric Edmeades, entrepreneur and creator of the WildFit program, to explore a powerful approach to taking control of our food habits. Eric reveals the concept of the “Six Hungers” that drive our eating behavior and shares actionable insights on how understanding these hungers can empower us to make intentional choices about what, when, and why we eat. This conversation dives deep into the science of food psychology and the simple but effective methods to break free from unhealthy patterns.
Drawing insights from his groundbreaking book, “The Evolution Gap: A Survival Guide for Modern Civilization,” Eric delves into the reasons behind our eating behaviors and offers practical strategies to gain control over them.
With a focus on understanding the six primary hungers that drive our food habits, he provides listeners with the tools to make intentional and healthier decisions. Join us as we uncover how to navigate the complexities of modern eating and align our habits with our biological needs for lasting change.
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“Diets fail people. Diets are badly constructed psychologically and mostly nutritionally, and they fail people constantly.”
eric edmeades
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Listen Notes, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform. You can watch the interview on YouTube below.
Understanding the Evolution Gap: Health, Habits, and the Human Diet
In this episode of the Passion Struck Podcast, host John R. Miles welcomes back Eric Edmeades for a deep dive into the intersection of health, behavior, and evolutionary biology. The conversation explores the concept of the “evolution gap,” highlighting the disparity between our slow biological evolution and the rapid pace of environmental change due to innovation.
This gap is suggested to be a significant factor in the emotional, physical, and social challenges faced by modern society. Eric shares his personal health journey, insights from his experiences with indigenous cultures, and the importance of understanding the reasons behind our food habits.
In this episode you’ll learn:
- The Evolution Gap: The episode discusses how the rapid changes in our environment outpace our biological evolution, leading to various health issues and emotional struggles.
- Six Hungers: Eric outlines the six primary reasons why people eat, emphasizing that only one relates to nutritional needs, while the others include emotional and psychological factors.
- Nutritional Hunger: The importance of addressing nutritional hunger is highlighted, as many people are overeating while simultaneously starving for essential nutrients.
- Emotional Eating: The episode delves into how emotional responses can drive food habits, often leading to unhealthy choices when combined with other hungers.
- Habit Formation: Eric explains that habit formation is influenced more by emotional intensity than by the number of days a behavior is repeated, providing insights into how to create lasting change.
- Practical Steps: The discussion includes actionable advice for listeners on how to align their food habits with their biological needs and improve their overall health.
WHY IS THIS A MUST-LISTEN?
This episode is essential for anyone looking to understand the complexities of modern health challenges and the psychological factors that influence our eating behaviors and food habits. Eric Edmeades provides valuable insights into how our evolutionary history shapes our current lifestyle and health issues. By exploring the reasons behind our eating habits and offering practical advice, listeners can gain a deeper understanding of how to make intentional choices that promote better health and well-being. Whether you’re struggling with emotional eating or simply seeking to improve your dietary habits, this conversation offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.
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Bridging the Evolution Gap: ‘How to Gain Control of Our Food Habits?’ with Eric Edmeades
During the fascinating Passion Struck Podcast conversation, Eric Edmeades explained some critical concepts that shed light on the disconnect between our biological evolution and the rapid changes in our environment. Central to this discussion is the idea of the “evolution gap,” which refers to the significant disparity between the slow pace of biological evolution and the accelerated changes driven by innovation and technology. This gap has profound implications for our health, well-being, and social structures, contributing to various forms of suffering.
The Role of Ancestral Diets: One of the key areas affected by the evolution gap is our diet. Edmeades emphasizes that our ancestors thrived on diets aligned with their biological needs, consuming whole, nutrient-dense foods. However, modern diets often deviate significantly from what our bodies are designed to consume. The introduction of processed foods, high in sugar and low in nutrients, has led to widespread nutritional deficiencies, even as people consume excessive calories. Understanding our evolutionary biology can empower individuals to make informed dietary choices that align more closely with their ancestral dietary patterns, ultimately improving health outcomes and food habits.
The Six Hungers
To further explore the reasons behind our eating habits, Edmeades introduces the concept of the “six hungers.” These include:
- Nutritional Hunger: The genuine need for nutrients, is often overlooked in modern diets.
- Thirst: Many people misinterpret thirst as hunger, leading to poor food choices and poor food habits
- Empty Stomach Hunger: The misconception that an empty stomach equates to hunger, when it may actually be a sign of the body cleansing itself.
- Low Blood Sugar Hunger: Cravings that arise from blood sugar crashes, often leading to unhealthy eating.
- Variety Hunger: The desire for variety in our diets, can lead to overconsumption of unhealthy foods.
- Emotional Hunger: The psychological need for comfort food, often rooted in childhood experiences and advertising.
Recognizing these hungers can empower individuals to make more conscious and intentional choices about their food consumption. By understanding the underlying motivations for eating, people can begin to address their habits and make healthier decisions.
Emotional Eating and Habit Formation: Edmeades also delves into the intricate relationship between emotional eating and habit formation. He explains that emotional intensity plays a pivotal role in habit creation. Humans have an innate “app” that operates on the principle that if we are alive today, then whatever we did yesterday must have been beneficial. This app encourages the creation of habits based on past experiences, especially those tied to strong emotional responses.
For example, a rookie baseball player who hits a grand slam in a high-stakes game will likely repeat the behaviors that led to that moment of triumph due to the emotional high associated with it. Edmeades emphasizes that it is not just the number of days that determines habit formation, but rather the combination of emotional intensity and repetition.
THANKS, Eric Edmeades
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RESOURCES FROM THE SHOW WITH ERIC EDMEADES
Please note that some of the links on this page (books, movies, music, etc.) lead to affiliate programs for which The Passion Struck podcast receives compensation. Itโs just one of the ways we keep the lights on around here. Thank you so much for being so supportive!
- Eric Edmeades’ Website
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- Passion Struck Core Value System: https://passionstruck.com/the-passion-struck-core-belief-system/
- Listen to Passion Struckโs interviews with New York Times bestselling authors Gretchen Rubin and Seth Godin.
- Check out Passion Struckโs Episode Starter Packs on Spotify or Passion Struck starter packs to get started with the podcast.
My solo episode on How Your Environment Influences Who You Become
Watch my episode with Eric Edmeades on the essential Keys to Postdiabetic Transformation
Discover my interview with Dr. Jud Brewer on How to Break Out of Your Food Jail
Catch my interview with Katy Milkman on Creating Lasting Behavior Change for Good
About Todayโs Guest, Eric Edmeades
Eric Edmeadesย is a renowned health and wellness expert, entrepreneur, and speaker, best known for his groundbreaking work in diabetes reversal and behavioral health change. With a deep understanding of the intersection between nutrition, emotional well-being, and lifestyle choices, Eric has dedicated his career to helping individuals transform their health through practical, science-based strategies.
As the author of the influential book “Post-Diabetic,” co-authored with Dr. Ruben Ruiz, Eric advocates for a revolutionary approach to reversing type 2 diabetes and emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes in diet and behavior. He is also a sought-after speaker and has appeared on numerous podcasts, including the Passion Struck Podcast, where he shares his expertise on health, nutrition, and the psychological factors that influence our eating habits.
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