#412 Emotional Eating After Breast Cancer - Why it Happens and How to Heal Gently
Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach
Release Date: 05/26/2025
Better Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach
This episode is such an exciting one, and honestly, it might just change the way you think about what you eat—especially if you’ve ever felt confused or overwhelmed about what’s “safe” or supportive after a breast cancer diagnosis. I’m talking about two powerful cellular processes that are important for us to understand: autophagy and angiogenesis. These are what researchers call hallmarks of cancer—but they’re also incredible opportunities for healing. And the best part? You don’t need to fast for days or eat perfectly to support them. You just need to make some smart,...
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Have you ever found yourself standing in front of the pantry during a stressful moment, reaching for something sweet, salty, or crunchy—just to take the edge off? If so, you’re not alone. In this episode of the Better Than Before Breast Cancer podcast, I open up about my own experience with emotional eating during cancer recovery and share gentle, compassionate strategies to help you understand and shift this pattern—without guilt or shame. We’ll explore: -How cortisol (your stress hormone) drives cravings -What emotional triggers might be signaling -How to respond to your...
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In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer™, we're talking about a common and little-talked-about side effect of breast cancer treatment and day-to-day living: digestive changes. If you've experienced bloating, reflux, fatigue, or that uncomfortable feeling of fullness after eating, this episode is for you. You'll learn why hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) is often misdiagnosed as high stomach acid, how breast cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal therapy contribute to poor digestion, and why treating symptoms with acid-blocking medications might be doing...
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In this episode of the Better Than Before Breast Cancer podcast, we're diving into how common post-treatment medications—like Tamoxifen, Aromatase Inhibitors (Letrozole, Anastrozole, Exemestane), Herceptin, Fulvestrant, and Bisphosphonates (like Fosamax and Reclast)—can deplete critical nutrients your body needs to feel good and stay strong. Have you ever wondered if the medications you're taking after breast cancer treatment could be affecting your energy, mood, or even your bone health? You're not imagining things. You'll learn: Which nutrients are most commonly depleted by these...
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In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, Laura Lummer dives into the real—and often overlooked—challenges of making and maintaining lifestyle changes after a breast cancer diagnosis. Starting with a powerful quote from Lao Tzu, “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading,” Laura reflects on the emotional weight, conditioned beliefs, and survival instincts that make behavior change both essential and incredibly difficult. Whether you’ve felt stuck in old habits or overwhelmed by the pressure to be “perfectly healthy,” this episode...
info_outlineBetter Than Before Breast Cancer with The Breast Cancer Recovery Coach
Have you ever wondered why foods like bread or pasta don’t sit quite right with you anymore—even though you’ve never had a problem with gluten in the past? In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we explore how gluten, gut health, glyphosate, and mood are deeply connected—especially after breast cancer treatment. You’ll learn: Why gluten can affect your gut and brain even without celiac disease The role of zonulin and leaky gut in inflammation and depression How breast cancer treatments like hormone therapy and aromatase inhibitors impact your gut What glyphosate...
info_outlineHave you ever found yourself standing in front of the pantry during a stressful moment, reaching for something sweet, salty, or crunchy—just to take the edge off?
If so, you’re not alone. In this episode of the Better Than Before Breast Cancer podcast, I open up about my own experience with emotional eating during cancer recovery and share gentle, compassionate strategies to help you understand and shift this pattern—without guilt or shame.
We’ll explore:
-How cortisol (your stress hormone) drives cravings
-What emotional triggers might be signaling
-How to respond to your body’s needs with love and presence
You'll learn mindful, doable ways to support yourself when stress eating feels like the only option, plus calming alternatives that nourish both body and soul.
Whether you're fresh out of treatment or navigating long-term survivorship, this episode is a supportive space for reflection, kindness, and taking small steps toward healing.
🔍 What You’ll Learn:
- Why emotional eating is common
- The science behind stress, cortisol, and cravings
- How emotional eating can impact inflammation and recovery
- Gentle ways to pause, reflect, and respond to cravings
- Practical “comfort menu” ideas to replace emotional eating
- Nutrient-rich foods that naturally calm stress and support healing
- How to build a supportive food environment at home
Referred to in this episode:
Feel Good Reset Lesson on Foods that Calm
Better Than Before Breast Cancer™ Life Coaching Membership
🧠 Study on Chronic Stress and Inflammation
Title: Immunology of Stress: A Review Article
Published in: Cureus, 2023
Summary: This review explores how chronic stress impacts the immune system, leading to increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-α. These changes can exacerbate health issues, including those relevant to breast cancer survivors.
Full Text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11546738/PMC
🧘♀️ Study on Mindfulness-Based Interventions and Emotional Eating
Title: Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Obesogenic Eating Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Published in: Obesity Reviews, 2024
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on various obesogenic eating behaviors, including emotional eating. The findings suggest that MBIs can be effective in reducing such behaviors, which is particularly beneficial for individuals recovering from breast cancer.
Full Text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11791380/ResearchGate+1PMC+1MDPI+3MDPI+3Wikipedia+3PMC
📣 Share the Love:
If this episode supported you, please share it with a fellow survivor or leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your voice helps other women find this healing space.
Connect with Laura Lummer:
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