What is Intuitive Eating?

Intuitive eating is a philosophy that emphasizes listening to your body's natural hunger and fullness cues, rather than relying on external rules or restrictions about what, when, or how much to eat. It encourages people to trust their internal signals and eat based on what feels good and satisfying to them, rather than following rigid diets or meal plans.  It means listening to your body and knowing when and how much to eat rather than simply eating everything on your plate at every meal.

To some, the concept of Intuitive Eating may sound like a new way of viewing meal plans/diets but in fact, it is as old as time.  In fact, it aligns perfectly with the true meaning of the word diet itself; from the Greek origin word, Diata meaning a way of life.   

Intuitive eating and or the true meaning of the word diet, is not a weight-loss program or a specific eating plan. Instead, it is a mindset that promotes a healthy relationship with food and your body. It involves paying attention to your body's signals and eating for nourishment, pleasure, and satisfaction.  It is quite possible that we have veered away from intuitive eating due to veering away from listening to the body and missing hunger and nourishment signals.  It is because food manufacturers have learned how to create our cravings so that we want more. Hence, we eat far more than our bodies need.

Intuitive eating is for anyone who wants to improve their relationship with food and their body. It can be helpful for people who have struggled with outdated dieting patterns, disordered eating, or negative body image. It can also be beneficial for those who want to learn to eat more mindfully and enjoy their food without guilt or shame.  

One of the key principles of intuitive eating is rejecting the old diet mentality and honoring your body's natural size and shape. This means letting go of the belief that thinness is the ultimate goal and focusing on health and well-being instead. Intuitive eating encourages self-compassion, body acceptance, and a balanced approach to eating that includes all types of foods in moderation.  It is knowing when you have had enough and when to stop.

In summary, intuitive eating is a non-diet approach or shall we say a bringing back of the true meaning of the word diet and eating to promote a healthy relationship with food and your body. It is a flexible and individualized approach that can benefit anyone who wants to improve their eating habits and feel more comfortable in their own skin.