214. Big Food Is Engineering Your Cravings (Former Insider Reveals How)

About this episode

Dr. Glenn Livingston reveals how processed foods are engineered to create cravings and discusses strategies to regain control over food choices.

In this episode of Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy, Michelle Visser speaks with former food industry consultant Dr. Glenn Livingston, who once advised major food corporations on how to sell more processed foods. Dr. Livingston reveals how processed foods are intentionally engineered to keep consumers eating. From strategic packaging and advertising psychology to subtle flavor variations within a single bag of chips, food companies use sophisticated techniques to trigger our brain’s natural instincts for variety and reward. The conversation also explores how marketing claims—such as “made with avocado oil” or “no artificial dyes”—can make ultra-processed foods appear healthier than they really are. Dr. Livingston explains why processed foods create powerful cravings and why reducing them can dramatically improve eating habits. He also shares practical tools to help people regain control over their food choices and stop rationalizing unhealthy habits. This episode offers an eye-opening look into the psychology and science behind modern processed foods—and how to break free from their grip. Please check out our sponsors: https://soulyrested.com/coffee https://soulyrested.com/wholegrain…

People in this episode

Host: Michelle Visser

Guest: Dr. Glenn Livingston

Topics covered

• food industry
• processed foods
• cravings
• marketing psychology
• eating habits

Keywords

• processed foods
• cravings
• food marketing
• eating habits
• advertising psychology

Sponsors

Souly Rested, Souly Rested, Souly Rested

More episodes of Simple Doesn't Mean Easy

• 226. The Hidden Danger of Chronic Stress No One Talks About · June 8, 2026 · 49 min
• 225. Why Doing It All Is Breaking Women (And How to Build a Life That Matters) · June 1, 2026 · 40 min
• 224. Why Your “Clean” Skincare May Not Be Clean · May 25, 2026 · 52 min
• 223. Why Your Fresh Flour Bread Fails & the Fix That Changes Everything · May 18, 2026 · 20 min
• 222. The Secret to Nutritious Breakfasts (that you never knew!) · May 11, 2026 · 34 min
• 221. 99% of Cereals Have This… And It’s Still Legal · May 4, 2026 · 45 min