Ep. 7 - Cravings, Cortisol, and Chaos: What Your Body Is Trying to Tell You
Why do cravings hit hardest when you’re stressed, tired, or running on empty? In this episode, Tammy Fogarty breaks down the craving–cortisol–sleep connection, explaining why stress triggers late-night snack attacks and how poor sleep disrupts hunger hormones ghrelin and leptin—making high-sugar, high-carb foods irresistible.
You’ll learn why cravings are more than “willpower problems,” how your environment and learned habits train your brain to overeat, and the science-backed steps you can take to retrain your cravings. Plus, Tammy shares her Hormone Reset Checklist so you can start balancing ghrelin and leptin tonight.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• Why cravings are a learned biological response—not a moral failing
• How stress and elevated cortisol trigger overeating
• The science of ghrelin (“the hunger hormone”) and leptin (“the fullness hormone”)
• How sleep deprivation flips your hunger hormones, making you crave salty, sweet, and carb-rich foods
• Why your environment is quietly priming you to overeat (and how to fight back)
• Cognitive strategies that can retrain your cravings for good
• Tammy’s Hormone Reset Checklist to start lowering cravings tonight
Featured Research:
• Rodríguez-Aragón et al., 2024 – Stress management, cortisol reduction, and improved sleep quality in women
• Saban et al., 2022 – Mindfulness-based stress reduction and healthy cortisol rhythms in women veterans
• O’Connor et al., 2022 – Ashwagandha supplementation, improved sleep, and reduced cravings
• Ju et al., 2024 – Regulation of Craving Training and healthy food choices under stress
Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:
• Follow Tammy on social: @TammyFogartyPhD
• Learn more about About Thyme Nutrition at www.tammyfogarty.com
If You Loved This Episode:
1. Follow The About Thyme Podcast wherever you listen.
2. Leave a 5-star review—it helps more women find the show.
3. Share this episode with a friend who’s struggling with stress eating or late-night cravings.
