When we first come into this world, we intuitively know how to eat. We cry when we’re hungry. We stop eating when we’re full.
For small kids, they continue this process. They ask for food when they need it, and push their plates away when they don’t. They eat a ton of food when they’re growing, and reduce consumption when they aren’t.
But somewhere along the way, we lose that intuitive approach to good nutrition. Our minds start reacting to what we put into our bodies, and we develop an entirely different relationship with food.
Ever been told to clean your plate? That’s a move away from intuitive eating.
Ever rewarded yourself with dessert? That’s associating food with something that was never meant to be.
That’s where guilt starts coming into the eating process. That’s where bad relationships with the eating process come into play.
You don’t count calories. You don’t make certain foods off limits. Instead, you eat what your body tells you to based on the internal cues from inside. When you’re hungry, you eat. When you’re satisfied, you’re less likely to indulge.
Intuitive eating is not a fad diet. Instead, it’s a way of life.
Say No To Diets
Have you ever noticed that the more you focus in on what not to eat, the more you crave it? That’s you trying to force your body to do what it inherently doesn’t want to do. Diets set you up for failure from the beginning. You’re starting out with a negative before you even begin. Intuitive eating helps you learn to listen to your body and give it exactly what it needs.
Understand Nutrition
Instead of labeling foods as “good” or “bad”, learn how food affects your body instead. We have thousands of different types of foods within our reach every day. Without even visiting your local market, you probably have a good idea of what is good for your body and what isn’t. Most of us realize a bag of potato chips won’t make us feel as good as a healthy stir fry filled with vegetables. That alone can help you make better choices when you change your mindset. But dig deeper too. How do veggies impact your body and your health? How about that bag of chips? The more you learn about food as an energy supply, the more you appreciate quality.
Listen To Your Hunger
Do you eat to eat? Are you regimented by a clock? Instead of paying attention to the clock, listen to your body. Watch for signals that you are feeling hungry. Bring awareness to your life to understand what your body needs to thrive.
Honor Your Cravings
Stop the guilt by giving yourself permission to indulge when your body says yes. Over time, you might discover that you don’t need to indulge in cravings at the same level. A spoon of ice cream can often satisfy as much as a pint if you separate your emotions from your eating habits.
Intuitive eating can help you become more aware of your body, and help you build your self esteem. It can give you higher satisfaction with your life, meaning you’ll cope with life’s challenges in a healthier way.
No more emotional eating. No more eating by the clock. Instead, listen to what your body has to say, and give it what it needs every day.