Intuitive eating is an approach to eating that focuses on respecting your body, honoring your hunger, and making food choices that nourish you. It was developed in 1995 by two dietitians, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, and has become an increasingly popular way to approach food and eating. Intuitive eating is an evidence-based approach, meaning it is backed by research, and has been shown to help improve physical health, as well as emotional and psychological well-being.
In this guide, we’ll explain what intuitive eating is, how it works, and why it’s beneficial. We’ll also share the 10 principles of intuitive eating, and how you can start using them in your own life.
What is Intuitive Eating?
Intuitive eating is an approach to food and eating that is based on the idea that you should eat when you’re hungry, stop when you’re full, and enjoy a variety of foods without guilt or shame. It is an approach to food and eating that is based on honoring your body and respecting your hunger and fullness cues.
Intuitive eating is not a diet. It is an approach to food and eating that focuses on trusting your body, honoring your hunger, and making food choices that nourish you. It is an approach that encourages you to listen to your body and make food choices that are in line with your values and goals.
The 10 Principles of Intuitive Eating
The 10 principles of intuitive eating were developed by Tribole and Resch to provide a framework for how to approach food and eating in a way that is based on honoring your body, respecting your hunger, and making food choices that nourish you.
1. Reject the Diet Mentality: Intuitive eating starts by rejecting the diet mentality and all of its false promises. Diets are not sustainable, and they often lead to feelings of deprivation, guilt, and shame.
2. Honor Your Hunger: Intuitive eating encourages you to honor your hunger and eat when you’re hungry. Hunger is a normal and healthy part of life, and it’s important to honor it.
3. Make Peace with Food: Intuitive eating encourages you to make peace with food, letting go of the “good” and “bad” food labels and allowing yourself to enjoy a variety of foods without guilt or shame.
4. Challenge the Food Police: Intuitive eating encourages you to challenge the “food police” – those negative thoughts and beliefs about food and eating that can lead to feelings of guilt and shame.
5. Respect Your Fullness: Intuitive eating encourages you to respect your fullness and stop eating when you’re satisfied. It’s important to listen to your body and honor its signals.
6. Discover the Satisfaction Factor: Intuitive eating encourages you to discover the satisfaction factor – the pleasure and satisfaction that come from eating food that tastes good and makes you feel good.
7. Cope with Your Emotions without Using Food: Intuitive eating encourages you to cope with your emotions without using food. It’s important to find other ways to deal with your emotions, such as talking to a friend or engaging in a hobby.
8. Respect Your Body: Intuitive eating encourages you to respect your body and make food choices that are in line with your values and goals. It’s important to listen to your body and honor its needs.
9. Exercise – Feel the Difference: Intuitive eating encourages you to move your body in ways that feel good. Exercise should be enjoyable and not a punishment or a way to “earn” food.
10. Honor Your Health – Gentle Nutrition: Intuitive eating encourages you to honor your health with gentle nutrition. This means making food choices that nourish you and make you feel good.
Why Intuitive Eating is Beneficial
Intuitive eating is beneficial for both physical and mental health. Studies have found that intuitive eaters have a healthier relationship with food and their bodies, and are less likely to engage in disordered eating behaviors such as dieting, binge eating, and purging. Additionally, intuitive eaters have been found to have better physical health, including lower body mass index (BMI) and lower risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
The Benefits of Working with a Purple Sky Counseling Provider in Salt Lake County
At Purple Sky Counseling, we understand that changing your relationship with food and your body can be difficult. That’s why we offer a variety of counseling services to help you learn how to practice intuitive eating and develop a healthier relationship with food and your body. We have a team of experienced and compassionate counselors in Salt Lake County who are dedicated to helping you learn how to trust your body, honor your hunger, and make food choices that nourish you. If you’re ready to start your journey to a healthier relationship with food and your body, contact Purple Sky Counseling today to learn more about our services.