The Power of Intuitive Eating

Tired of restrictive diets and confusing nutrition rules? It may be time to get back to basics with intuitive eating. This eating philosophy centers on trusting your body’s natural hunger cues rather than following strict diet culture rules.

Intuitive eating means ditching labels like “good” and “bad” foods. Nothing is off limits; you eat what truly satisfies you both physically and mentally. Learn to pay attention to your body’s signals. Eat when you feel genuinely hungry, choosing foods that appeal to you at that moment. Pause when full, even if there’s food left on your plate. Restriction leads to overeating, while intuitive eating allows you to become in tune with your body.

Here are a few tips to get started:

• Honor hunger by eating when hungry and stopping when full. Reject diet culture rules that say you should eat at certain times or restrict foods.
• Increase awareness of your body’s signals. Check in before, during and after eating. How hungry do you feel? How satisfying is your food choice?
• Make peace with food. Grant yourself unconditional permission to eat food you truly want and enjoy. Food is fuel and pleasure, not the enemy.
• Respect your fullness. Listen to your body and stop eating when satisfied, not overly full. Remind yourself the food will still be there later.
• Foster self-care. Choose activities, relationships and environments that make you feel good. Surround yourself with positive messages about food and your body.
• Intuitive eating is a compassionate approach focused on health at every size. By trusting your body’s wisdom, you can achieve lasting well-being.