Intuitive eating is a trending “dieting” concept, and it’s much less complicated than it seems. The practice involves slowing down and listening to your body’s signals with a goal of improving your relationship with food. Whether you’re simply curious or have an interest in practicing intuitive eating, let’s dive into what it means, how to practice it, and the potential benefits that it can provide.
What is intuitive eating?
Intuitive eating is trending in the diet space, but it isn’t necessarily dieting—not in the way we typically think about it. Intuitive eating at its core is about listening to your body. That means listening both when it’s hungry and when it’s full.
Instead of clear restrictions, intuitive eating is all about listening to hunger and satiety cues in order to nourish your body with the food that it needs to thrive and tackle the day ahead. There aren’t rules that are typically present in other diets, like no carbs, no dessert, or no junk food. The idea is to have what you want in moderation, as long as you’re listening to these hunger and fullness cues. Remember that food is fuel!
How to practice intuitive eating
Practicing intuitive eating means listening to your body and how it feels before, during, and after eating. To help you get started, here are some tips:
- Take your time and savor each bite; your food isn’t going anywhere. By eating more slowly, you’re giving time for your body to properly process and digest your food. This practice also allows hunger and satiety hormones to have time to work, signaling when you’re truly full or hungry.
- Be mindful of all the delicious flavors and textures of your food. If you’ve crafted a nice homemade meal, relish it and be proud of your culinary skills! If you’re indulging in takeout or dining out, savor those flavors that won't always be at your fingertips.
- Limit distractions. It might be tempting to want constant entertainment while eating, but sometimes it’s best to just focus on the food itself. Screen time during mealtimes can lead to mindless snacking and overeating.
- Tune into your body’s signals. If your body tells you that you are still hungry after you’ve had time to digest, have a little more, but stop when you’re no longer hungry.
Are there benefits to intuitive eating?
Intuitive eating encourages a long-term, sustainable way of nourishing your body with food.
Here are some of the benefits it may provide:
- A better relationship with food
- A more positive body image and self-esteem
- Higher general well-being
Weight management can be just as challenging mentally as it is physically. By eliminating negative associations with food, such as thinking of it as a punishment or something to be restricted and instead focusing on what nourishes your body each day, the process can get easier. This shift in mindset is why intuitive eating is gaining popularity as it fosters a healthier, long-term relationship with food.
Listen to your body and eat in a way that feels right to you
Intuitive eating is all about paying attention to our body's feelings, enabling us to nourish ourselves in a way that feels right for our individual needs. By embracing this practice, we can build a healthy and balanced relationship with food.
