What is Intuitive Eating?

You have heard about it. But do you really know what Intuitive Eating is?

Whether you are intrigued, curious, or are already on the Intuitive Eating path, I’m excited to tell you about it. I notice that many people think they have an idea of what Intuitive Eating is, but are often getting it all wrong.

So, let’s start with what Intuitive Eating is NOT.

Intuitive Eating is not:

• A diet

• A weight loss program

• Eating donuts all the time

• Just telling yourself to stop eating when you’re full

You can’t succeed or fail at Intuitive Eating. It is not a nutrition plan or a health hack.

…So what is it?

What is Intuitive Eating?

Intuitive Eating is an evidenced-based and mind-body health approach to the relationship you have with food, body, and mind.

Based on 10 principles, it is an empowerment framework to honor your health and well-being by listening and responding to your body’s direct messages. By doing so, you respect and take care of your biological and psychological needs.

Definition of Intuitive Eating:

“Intuitive Eating is a self-care eating framework, which integrates instinct, emotion, and rational thought and was created by two dietitians, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch in 1995. Intuitive Eating is a weight-inclusive, evidence-based model with a validated assessment scale and over 100 studies to date.”

Intuitive Eating helps to both create attunement in your body to help you meet your true needs while also helping to remove any obstacles to attunement. It is based on 10 powerful principles:

Intuitive Eating Principles

1. Reject the Diet Mentality

2. Honor Your Hunger

3. Make Peace with Food

4. Challenge the Food Police

5. Discover the Satisfaction Factor

6. Feel Your Fullness

7. Cope with Your Emotions with Kindness

8. Respect Your Body

9. Movement—Feel the Difference

10. Honor Your Health with Gentle Nutrition

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Curious to learn more? Pick up the Intuitive Eating book or reach out to me or another Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. If you are interested in working with me, fill out this form and I will get back to you within 48 hours.

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References:

Intuitiveeating.org

Tribole E and Resch (2020). Intuitive Eating, 4th edition St. Martin's Essentials: NY, NY.

Tribole E and Resch (2017). Intuitive Eating Workbook: 10 Principles for Nourishing a Healthy Relationship with Food. New Harbinger: Oakland, CA.