What is Intuitive Eating?

Intuitive eating is a topic that has created a lot of controversies. There have been significant misunderstandings of what intuitive eating is. Different sources define this type of eating differently. These definitions have led to the emergence of other myths and more confusion. So, what is Intuitive Eating?

Intuitive eating is listening and trusting your inner body to make independent choices naturally around foods that make your body happy without the help of a diet plan, medication, or judgement.

It is human nature to eat when you are hungry and to stop when you feel full. That is how we are born. But as we grow, develop, and interact with the environment, we learn new ways and reimagine that we should be a certain way.

We look at food as good and bad, then attach shame to it. Suddenly, eating certain foods becomes wrong. Intuitive eating is about fighting these new habits and reclaiming the natural way of approaching hunger and satisfaction.

This article will focus on the principles of intuitive eating.

The Seven Principles of Intuitive Eating (IE).

The principles behind intuitive eating revolve around breaking free from the chains of dieting and embracing mindful eating with no judgement. Here are seven principles of intuitive eating;

1. Seize from the diet mentality.

The idea of dieting is not sustainable, so individuals need to stop believing in quick-fix plans that promise to deliver lasting results.

There are new articles on the web every day that promise to help with weight loss. The first principle of intuitive eating demands you seize from believing such reports and calls for you to declutter your bookshelf with such books and magazines as well.

2. Respect your hunger and pay attention to fullness.

It is vital to respond to your body when you feel hungry. This means, instead of focusing on dieting, pay attention to hunger cues. This leads to a more straightforward relationship with food, as you can trust your instincts.

It is essential to know when you are full. The same way you eat when hungry is the same way you should stop when you are full. Ask yourself, are you eating to curb your hunger or are you eating out of stress and anxiety? Pausing between meals is a great way to weigh if you still need to keep eating.

3. Make peace with food.

Dieting has corrupted the way people look at food - certain foods are good while others are bad. Being restricted from eating certain foods raises the temptation of trying them. When you have time to eat ‘bad’ food, you feel guilty, and it becomes a vicious cycle.

This principle of intuitive eating urges you to give yourself unconditional permission to eat whatever food you want. The food that makes your body happy at the moment.

4. Challenge the food cop.

The food police is the sound in your head telling you not to eat certain foods. Anytime you want to eat something your body wants, the food cop reminds you that you only need a certain amount of calories in your body. The food cop can also be a natural person - your partner, friend, or colleague shaming you for eating certain foods.

This principle advises that as hard as it is, it is best to ignore such voices. In instances where it is a person, you can ask them to leave politely. If they respect and care about you, they should have the courtesy to leave.

5. Acknowledge your feelings without using food.

It is okay and normal to have feelings. Even though some emotions can be overwhelming, listening and understanding your body’s feelings is a good practice. Do I need to take a walk? Do I need to take time for myself?

These practices will teach you to get to the root of every problem healthily. First, acknowledge that you have a problem, then consider different solutions before turning to food.

6. Respect your body.

Intuitive eating and body acceptance go hand-in-hand. Intuitive eating is not a weight-loss strategy. This means that you must learn to accept your body the way it is and not strive for unrealistic expectations to achieve a specific look.

7. Throw in some exercises that you enjoy.

Intuitive eating does not mean that you have to camp at the gym. Nevertheless, it is vital to move your body regularly. Again, it is best to pay attention to exercises that are sustainable and that you enjoy.

Activities that you enjoy will help you boost your mood, strengthen your cardiovascular system, and increase lean muscle mass. All these results will help you feel happy, comfortable, and powerful in your own skin.

One of the most common myths is that without a routine diet, people will become unhealthy. But if you look at The Original Intuitive Eating Pros, their research proves that intuitive eaters end up having high self-esteem, higher well-being, and a lower body mass index. It is amazing all the good that comes from intuitive eating.