Why You Can’t Stop Using Food for Comfort with Kelly McDaniel
Why You Can’t Stop Using Food for Comfort with Kelly McDaniel  
Podcast: Live Like a Girl with Dr. Mindy Pelz
Published On: Mon Sep 14 2026
Description: Why can changing the way you eat feel so emotional, even when you know exactly what you want to change?In this conversation, I sit down with therapist and Mother Hunger author Kelly McDaniel to explore the deeper emotional and relational layers that can become intertwined with food.Through Kelly’s Mother Hunger framework, we look at how early experiences with nurturing, safety, attachment, and caregiving may influence the way some of us relate to food later in life—and why food can sometimes become connected with comfort, connection, routine, and relief.We also talk about emotional eating, body image, nervous system regulation, fasting, food noise, GLP-1 medications, and the messages about our bodies that can be passed from one generation to the next.This conversation gave me an entirely new way to think about some of the struggles I’ve seen women experience when changing how they eat, because sometimes there may be more happening beneath the surface than what’s on the plate.In this episode:Kelly’s Mother Hunger frameworkWhy food can become emotionally significantWhat Kelly means by “surrogate comfort”Why changing eating patterns can bring up difficult emotionsFood and nervous system regulationWhat mothers can unintentionally teach daughters about their bodiesKelly’s perspective on food noise and GLP-1 medicationsHow support and connection can help us create new patternsMORE ON KELLY MCDANIELInstagram: @kellymcdanieltherapyMother Hunger, Revised EditionFor more resources related to today’s episode, visit the podcast episode page: drmindypelz.com/ep369Connect with Dr. Mindy:Join Reset AcademyWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Dr. Mindy on InstagramSubscribe to Dr. Mindy’s newsletterDisclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, fasting routine, or lifestyle.