How Does Our Feed Shape Our Appetite (Before Even Feeling Hungry)?
- By Dr. Tatyana El-Kour
- Nov 30
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Have you ever opened your phone, seen a food video you were not looking for, and suddenly wanted something you were not even thinking about? Most people assume this is just coincidence. But it is one of the quiet ways social media influences our appetite long before we are aware of it. This is something I explored with Dr. Supatra Tovar on the ANEW Podcast, and it is a pattern I see often in both research and clinical work.
Your Brain Responds Before You Notice
When you pause — even briefly — on a food video, your brain registers that cue immediately. Visual food triggers activate appetite and reward pathways, which is why cravings often feel sudden. AI then picks up these responses and continues showing you similar content, usually at the times you are most likely to engage. So while it feels like you are choosing what to watch, the truth is that your feed is shaping what you think about.
The Subtle Effect of “What I Eat in a Day” Videos
These videos seem harmless, but they influence us in ways we do not notice. They become quiet reference points:
How much do we think we should eat
How often?
What specific meals should look like?
How appetite should behave?
Not because we consciously compare ourselves, but because the brain naturally absorbs repeated patterns. Over time, this reshapes what feels normal — even if the videos reflect only a small slice of someone else’s reality.
Why This Matters
Social media does not just entertain us. It shapes our expectations: about hunger, portion sizes, body image, and what healthy looks like. And because these influences begin before awareness, people often blame themselves for confusion around food, when the real issue is an overstimulating digital environment.
Simple Ways to Feel More Grounded
Notice how certain content makes your body feel.
Mix your feed with accounts that reflect real life and diverse experiences.
Let your hunger cues carry more weight than your screen.
Small awareness shifts often create the biggest relief.
Closing Note
Understanding how your feeding shapes appetite is not about criticism. It is about clarity.Once you see the influence, your choices begin to feel less pressured and more aligned with what you need.
If these topics resonate with you, I invite you to listen to the full conversations with Dr. Tovar for deeper insight:
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