Solve The Overeating Puzzle - Nutrition and Eating Psychology

Eugenia Nikiforow

Eugenia Nikiforow, the founder of Unlox’U – Eating Psychology Clinic shares practical tools and strategies to be in control of food cravings, overeating and binge eating urges. Eugenia dives deep into nutrition, psychology of eating and neuroscience to identify the underlying reasons for our behaviours around food. This way we can find our own key to unlock our transformation with eating, weight and body image. We believe psychology is the missing key to a life of freedom, joy and peace with food, our weight and exercise.

  1. 11/28/2025

    Ep: 153 How to stick to healhty eating or any goals you have?

    Why is it so hard to stick to a diet, exercise routine, or any long-term goal?In this episode I break down the real reason consistency feels impossible. Instead of blaming willpower, motivation, or discipline, we dive into the psychology behind habits, the thought patterns that sabotage your progress, and the self-talk loops that quietly pull you back to old behaviours every time. You’ll learn: Why your brain repeats the same patterns even when you want to change How negative self-talk (“I never stick to anything”) becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy The Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) cycle that keeps you stuck How to break habit loops that lead to dieting failures, overeating, or giving up How to create thoughts and behaviours that support long-term change Why changing your approach matters more than changing the goal What to do when you fall off track so you don’t go back to square one If you’ve ever felt frustrated, disappointed, or discouraged with yourself because you “can’t stay consistent,” this episode will help you understand what’s really going on—and empower you with tools to shift your mindset, rebuild trust in yourself, and finally create the results you want. Perfect for: anyone struggling with dieting, emotional eating, binge eating, weight loss, motivation, habit building, or personal growth. 🎧 Listen now to learn how to rewire your mind, reset your habits, and finally follow through on your goals.If you’d like support with your eating, mindset, or weight-loss journey, message Eugenia at eugenia@unloxu.nz or reach out through social media.

    15 min
  2. 09/16/2025

    Ep: 146 Emotional Eating Explained: Childhood Rewards, Stress, and Emotional Eating

    Do you ever wonder why you turn to food when you’re stressed, bored, or lonely—even when you’re not hungry? Chances are, the roots of emotional eating go all the way back to childhood. In this episode, we dive deep into: How childhood food rewards (cookies for good behavior, ice cream for comfort) wire the brain for emotional eating. Why stress and negative emotions trigger food cravings in adulthood. The difference between emotional hunger vs. physical hunger (and how to tell them apart). The role of cortisol, dopamine, and serotonin in emotional eating. Research insights (Birch et al., 1987 & Michels et al., 2012) showing how early feeding patterns and stress affect eating behaviors. Practical, compassionate strategies to break the cycle of emotional eating—without restrictive dieting or guilt. Emotional eating isn’t about willpower—it’s about conditioning. By understanding where these patterns come from, you can finally start to change them. This episode offers both science-backed insights and real-life strategies to help you shift from automatic eating to intentional choices. Emotional eating often starts in childhood reward-based feeding. These patterns can persist into adulthood—especially during stress or loneliness. You can break free by learning to pause, identify triggers, and use non-food coping strategies. For 1:1 Coaching, send me a message for a free discovery call to eugenia@unloxu.nz. Free Resources: Why we binge - 13 underlying and hidden reasons 00:00 – Introduction – What is Emotional Eating? 03:00 – Childhood Roots: Food as Reward, Comfort, and Celebration 08:00 – How Emotional Eating Shows Up in Adulthood 13:00 – Emotional Hunger vs. Physical Hunger 17:00 – The Science: Stress, Cortisol, and Why Food Feels Comforting 21:00 – Breaking the Cycle: Awareness, Loops, and Comfort Menus 27:00 – Final Thoughts and Practical Takeaway

    43 min

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About

Eugenia Nikiforow, the founder of Unlox’U – Eating Psychology Clinic shares practical tools and strategies to be in control of food cravings, overeating and binge eating urges. Eugenia dives deep into nutrition, psychology of eating and neuroscience to identify the underlying reasons for our behaviours around food. This way we can find our own key to unlock our transformation with eating, weight and body image. We believe psychology is the missing key to a life of freedom, joy and peace with food, our weight and exercise.