Are You Actually Eating Intuitively? Or Just Telling Yourself You Are?
- mae
- Mar 5, 2022
- 2 min read
What is intuitive eating. In simple terms, intuitive eating is eating like how you did when you were younger, when you were not concerned with looks, losing weight, social media, or the like. It is eating in response to your hunger cues. It requires you to stop looking at food as “good” or “bad.” Instead, you listen to your body and eat what feels right for you.
So many people, including myself, are striving (and achieving) a lifestyle that is no longer centered on restriction, but rather intuitive eating, but restrictive thoughts might still influence our current decisions, so how do we know if we are actually intuitively eating?
Main Points:
- The Main Core of Intuitive Eating
- Focusing on Nutrients Over Calories
The Main Core of Intuitive Eating: Being Mindful and Listening to Our Bodies
With intuitive eating, the first step is being mindful of what we are eating so that we know what foods make us feel good. This includes knowing what not to eat, such as allergies and intolerances, and what to eat so that we feel full, nourished, and happy, such as a balance of carbohydrates, healthy fats, and protein at every meal. In addition, we must listen to our bodies. If I crave a piece of chocolate, I will add that chocolate as a part of my dessert, such as a yogurt bowl with berries and chia seeds. Here, I would be having a balanced dessert with protein, fruit, and healthy fats with the chocolate that I was initially craving. Here, there is no restriction, which could have led to a binge later on.
Focusing on Nutrients Over Calories
This is a big one. With a restrictive diet, people are forced to track and obsess over their calories. This is not sustainable or realistic to do for the rest of your life. As mentioned above, just focus on one simple thing: a balance of carbohydrates, healthy fats, and protein. I can assure you that you will feel nourished and happy after. Intuitive eating also means that even though you are eating nutritious, satisfying meals, you should not restrict or feel guilty for eating less nutritious meals, such as a spontaneous night with friends when you get a burger with a side of fries and a milkshake. Intuitive eating is balance, remember? Don't stress it.
What should we count if we are not counting calories? Count your memories, the things you are grateful for, the people you have in your life, the laughs you have in a week, the hours of sleep that you get, etc...
We have so much in life to be grateful for.
Final Takeaway
If there is one thing I want you to take with you, it is that intuitive eating is about having nutritious and balanced meals that make YOU feel good (and these meals are different for everyone) while also not restricting yourself from eating the less nutritious meals or snacks. Eat for your mental and physical HEALTH, not your LOOKS.
Comments