So the other day, I’m chatting with a client, and she says something so relatable I had to write to you about it.
She told me:
“Sometimes, I eat a little extra if I know I’ll be up late and won’t have access to food… or if I know I won’t eat until late the next day.”
I nodded. Smiled. And then I said,
“Ah yes, classic chipmunk eating.”
You know what I’m talking about, right?
That little voice in your head that says:
“What if I get hungry later? Better eat more now—just in case.”
It’s like we’re hoarding food in our cheeks for a future emergency snack that may or may not come.
I should know. I used to be a chipmunk eater, too.
I’d think:
“Well, I don’t want to be starving later…”
“What if dinner’s delayed?”
“I’ll eat a little more now so I don’t have to deal with being hungry.”
And before I knew it, I was full… uncomfortably full… and also kind of annoyed with myself.
Here’s the thing:
We are not bears preparing for hibernation.
We are not chipmunks storing acorns in our cheeks.
And we definitely don’t need to overeat to prepare for imaginary hunger.
What we need is trust.
→ Trust that we can handle being a little hungry.
→ Trust that our body knows when it’s satisfied.
→ Trust that food will be there when we actually need it—not just “just in case.”
Here’s what to try instead:
✔️ Eat enough for now—not later.
✔️ Have a backup plan (like keeping a real-food snack on hand if you might be out late).
✔️ Remind yourself: You can always eat again when you’re actually hungry. You’re not being punished. You’re just listening to your body.
Because true freedom around food comes when you can stop pre-eating for future you… and start honoring present you.
And guess what? Present you deserves to feel comfortable, energized, and not like a squirrel storing rations in their purse.
Want help quieting that chipmunk voice? I’ve been there. I’ve cracked the code.
And I can help you shift those habits with zero shame and a whole lot of support (and I promise – no more animal analogies!)