# Why Bad Diets Feel So Good (the REWARD & Dopamine High of Diet Culture)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/bite-back-with-abbey-sharp-7043901/why-bad-diets-feel-so-good-the-reward-dopamine-high-of-diet-culture
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/bite-back-with-abbey-sharp-7043901/why-bad-diets-feel-so-good-the-reward-dopamine-high-of-diet-culture.md
Podcast: [Bite Back with Abbey Sharp](https://stenobird.com/podcast/bite-back-with-abbey-sharp-7043901)
Published: 2026-05-19T08:30:00+00:00
Episode link: https://bite-back-with-abbey-sharp.simplecast.com/episodes/why-bad-diets-feel-so-good-the-reward-dopamine-high-of-diet-culture-h9NOlshe
Audio file: https://rogers.simplecastaudio.com/5aba7628-33c2-4808-b873-0ba6f55a5e7d/episodes/dd17247e-269e-47b6-a7ff-30392937d08f/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=5aba7628-33c2-4808-b873-0ba6f55a5e7d&awEpisodeId=dd17247e-269e-47b6-a7ff-30392937d08f&feed=RlbEUM8I
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Duration seconds: 1352

## Resource

In today’s episode of Bite Back with Abbey Sharp, we explore why restrictive diets can feel so effective at first—even when they rarely lead to lasting results. From carnivore and cleanses to fasting and other influencer-endorsed trends, many diets promise to eliminate everything from bloating to brain fog. But if these approaches are truly the answer, why do they feel so difficult to sustain? In this episode, I break down the psychological reward cycle that makes dieting so seductive, and why an additive, sustainable approach is often far more effective for long-term health and a healthier relationship with food.

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## Transcript

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