272 - Breaking Free from "Protein Prison": Why Your Food Choices Might Be Coming From Diet Mentality

Listen to this episode from Why We Overeat with Maggie Sterling on Spotify. Are you stuck in "protein prison" - forcing yourself to eat foods you don't even like in the name of weight loss? In this episode, Maggie and Ryan explore the complicated relationship between nutrition choices and diet mentality, diving into why our reasons for eating certain foods matter more than the foods themselves. They discuss how many women get trapped in patterns of restriction and binging when they prioritize "healthy eating" without considering mental satisfaction. If you've ever choked down Greek yogurt mixed with protein powder while secretly craving something else, this conversation about finding balance without sacrificing results is for you. Click here to join vibe club 03:20: Diet mentality is about energy, beliefs, and thoughts - not specific foods. 07:00: "Protein prison" happens when forcing yourself to eat protein you dislike, causing mental dissatisfaction. 10:20: Choosing foods that make you feel good isn't diet mentality if your reasons are balanced. 14:50: Finding balance often requires swinging to extremes first before settling in the middle. 18:30: Ryan's experience losing muscle when not prioritizing protein he enjoys. 21:30: When to move beyond food neutrality toward intentional choices that support goals.