Episode Details

Food, Feelings, and Filters: The Psychology of Eating in the Age of Social Media This week, Jim and Ralph dive into the complex psychology of food, eating, and how social media is reshaping our relationship with both. Why do so many people see food as their only friend? And why are young people—especially adolescent girls—facing increasing pressure to be thin in a culture saturated with filtered perfection and restrictive eating trends? We explore:

• How food becomes tied to emotional comfort and coping.
• The impact of TikTok and Instagram on body image and diet culture.
• Why adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable to eating disorders.
• The dangerous cycle of restriction and bingeing.
• What the research says about intuitive eating, social comparison, and media literacy as tools for change.

With insights from recent psychological and neuroscience research, this episode offers a candid, compassionate look at the invisible forces shaping how we eat, think, and feel—especially in a digital age. LEARN MORE Here is a link to Body Image Journal: https://g.co/kgs/FUL15u1 This is specifically about body image and social media: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/smart-parenting-smarter-kids/202304/body-image-and-social-media If you want a free PDF copy of our book email Jim at carro1jl@cmich.edu