How Come “Healthy Eating” Gets Weird When You’re Lonely

 There are days when eating a full meal just feels... like too much. Not because you’re not hungry, but because you’re tired, or the silence feels too loud, or you just don’t want to deal with dishes. And maybe that’s fine once in a while. But if it keeps happening—skipping meals, grazing on random snacks, or just not caring about what you eat—it might not be about willpower. It might be about loneliness.

 It turns out, being socially disconnected doesn’t just affect your mind—it also messes with your appetite, your cravings, even how your body processes food. A 2022 paper published in Nature Aging found that chronic loneliness is linked to changes in brain regions involved in both social behavior and food-related decision-making. In other words, when people feel alone, they’re more likely to seek out fast, hyper-palatable food—not because they’re lazy, but because their brain is low on dopamine and looking for something, anything, to feel good again.

  And it works… for a second. A hit of sugar or fat gives you that small lift, but then it drops off. You’re left just as lonely, and now a little sluggish too.

  There’s also this thing called commensality, which basically means eating together. Studies show that people who eat meals with others tend to eat better, feel more satisfied, and even digest food more efficiently. It’s not magic—it’s just that humans are wired for connection, and food has always been a part of that. When we eat with people, we tend to slow down, eat more variety, and enjoy it more. Alone, it’s easy to fall into autopilot. 

So, what do you do if you’re feeling a bit isolated?

  Here's and idea: eat with someone, call a friend if you want. Listen to a podcast. It’s not the same as real company, but it helps shift the vibe.

  Or, Make food that feels like care. Not fancy, just intentional. Even a boiled egg on toast can feel grounding if you made it for you instead of just grabbing whatever.

  Last but not least, acknowledge the loneliness. It’s real. And it’s not something junk food can actually fix. But being kind to yourself through food might help—not by eating perfectly, but by eating gently.

Sometimes, the most nourishing thing isn’t the food itself. It’s how you eat it, and who you sitting across the table with.

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