Intuitive Eating 101
Intuitive eating is a holistic approach to food and nutrition that emphasizes listening to your body's internal cues to guide what we eat. Instead of following strict diets or food rules, intuitive eating encourages a healthy relationship with food based on internal awareness than external guidelines. Developed by dietitians Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, this concept promotes self-care, body positivity, and mindful eating practices.
What is Intuitive Eating?
Intuitive eating is centered around ten core principles designed to foster a balanced and flexible approach to eating. These principles include:
Reject the Diet Mentality: Let go of the idea that you need to follow specific diets or food rules to be healthy or worthy.
Honor Your Hunger: Listen to your body's hunger signals and eat when you feel hungry.
Make Peace with Food: Allow yourself to eat all types of food without guilt or restriction.
Challenge the Food Police: Silence the critical thoughts that judge your eating habits.
Respect Your Fullness: Pay attention to your body's signals that indicate you've had enough to eat.
Discover the Satisfaction Factor: Find joy and satisfaction in eating by choosing foods that taste good and make you feel good.
Honor Your Feelings Without Using Food: Address your emotions in ways other than eating, such as through journaling, talking to a friend, or practicing mindfulness.
Respect Your Body: Accept and appreciate your body for what it is, rather than striving for an unrealistic ideal.
Exercise – Feel the Difference: Focus on how intuitive physical activity makes you feel, rather than on calorie burning or weight loss.
Honor Your Health – Gentle Nutrition: Make food choices that honor your health and taste buds while making you feel good.
How to Start Practicing Intuitive Eating
To begin your journey with intuitive eating, consider the following steps:
Educate Yourself: Learn about the principles of intuitive eating through books, articles, or working with a therapist or dietician.
Listen to Your Body: Start tuning in to your hunger and satiety signals.
Challenge Diet Culture: Reflect on and question any diet-related beliefs or behaviors that may be influencing your eating habits.
Be Patient: Intuitive eating is a process that takes time and practice. Be gentle with yourself as you navigate this new approach.
Intuitive eating is a compassionate and balanced approach to food that encourages listening to your body, rejecting diet culture, and fostering a healthier relationship with eating, and thus your body. By embracing the principles of intuitive eating, you can work to improve your physical and mental well-being, and find greater joy and satisfaction in your food choices.
