What is "Intuitive Eating"?

                         

What is intuitive eating?

Have you ever heard the phrase “intuitive eating”?

Maybe you’ve heard someone mention it—but you’re not completely sure what it means?

Here’s how I define it:

* When you’re eating intuitively, it means you are not following a diet, detox, or any other type of meal plan, like a low-carb plan, Paleo or Whole30. Instead of following a meal plan, you’re following the internal guidance that’s coming from within your own body.

* When you’re eating intuitively, it means you notice when you feel hungry—and then you eat. You notice when you feel satiated—and then you stop eating.  This does NOT become another diet by any means. You know that there will be times when you eat until you are uncomfortably full (hello Thanksgiving) or because you want to (hello apple cider donuts fresh from the farm).  

* When you’re eating intuitively, it means that nothing is off limits. If your body is asking for salad, have salad. If your body is asking for cake, have cake. There are no “forbidden” foods.

* To sum it up: when you’re eating intuitively, you let your body tell you what it wants to eat, and how much, and when. Your body is the guide.

What does intuitive eating look like in everyday life?

Here’s an example...

You notice a small rumble from your stomach. You’re not ravenously hungry yet, but you’re definitely ready for some food. It’s time for a meal.

You check in with yourself, asking, “What sounds good right now? What sounds nourishing and satisfying in this moment?” or perhaps a question like, “What is my body asking for right now?” (Notice that you’re not asking, “What should I eat?” or “What am I allowed to eat?” Intuitive eating is not about following “food rules” and “shoulds.” It’s about tuning into what your body actually wants in this moment.)

As you inquire, “What is my body asking for right now?”... perhaps the image of an omelette with veggies and cheese pops into your mind. “Yeah,” you think. “A veggie omelette—plus some crispy sweet potatoes on the side. That sounds so good.” You start to salivate. Something about this warm, comforting meal just intuitively feels “right.”

So you whip up an omelette, or you head to a restaurant and order it, or if that’s not possible, you eat something similar—something else that feels “right.”

You savor the meal, enjoying each bite. You don’t rush through it. You take your time, noticing all the flavors and textures. It’s delicious. Your body practically sighs with gratitude, like it’s saying, “Thank you. Yes. This is just what I wanted!”

Partway through the meal, you check in with yourself. You notice that you’re not totally satiated so you take a few more bites knowing that there’s a part of you both physically and emotionally that you are satiating. Okay. Now, that feels just right. You stop eating when you feel satisfied and you do so without any judgements.  After the meal, you feel nourished and energized, ready to tackle the rest of your day or evening.

The scenario I just described is one example of intuitive eating.

When you eat in this way, you feel really good. You feel comfortable in your skin. You don’t go through the day feeling too hungry or too full or feeling preoccupied with continual thoughts about food. You feel relaxed. You feel “just right.” Your body is getting the fuel that it needs to function optimally.

When you practice intuitive eating consistently—meal after meal, day after day—your body eventually settles into its natural weight-setpoint and stays there. Meaning, your weight is no longer yo-yo-ing up and down. It’s steady.  You feel like you have reconnected to your intuitive voice that knows your body on the deepest level of truth.

Everyone—I repeat, everyone—can eat intuitively. We’re all born instinctively knowing how to do this. Babies do it. Little kids do it. But then as we grow older, many of us forget how to eat intuitively because of the messages that diet culture, our families, our doctors and our friends have ingrained into our very own infrastructure. Our abilities to listen to our bodies get a little “rusty”, to say the least. But just like re-learning how to ride a bicycle, when it comes to eating intuitively, we can learn how to do it again! After a bit of practice, you’ll find, “Oh yes. I get it. This feels right. I remember how to do this.”  I remember what it feels like to want, receive, and repeat.

If you’re curious to learn more about intuitive eating, here are some great places to start...

* The book Intuitive Eating written by two wellness pioneers, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch.

* 10 principles of intuitive eating. An excellent list, also written by Tribole and Resch.

* Or if you’d like a more personalized experience, consider working with an intuitive eating coach—like me. My coaching program—Stop Dieting, Start Living—is a great option to check out if you want to stop battling with food and feel healthier, happier, and more comfortable in your skin.

Intuitive eating might feel like a far-fetched idea right now. It might feel like a biiiiiiig stretch from the way you’re currently eating.

Just trust that your body knows how to do this—just like your body knows how to breathe and sleep and walk and blink. You just know. With a little guidance and practice, you’ll remember how to eat intuitively and you’ll be able to nourish yourself with ease.

xoxo,