Dieting can easily obstruct our internal cues, and interfere with our ability to eat “normally.” But what does “normal” eating even mean? Is there a “perfect” way to eat? How does “normal” eating fit in with intuitive eating?
Normal eating means flexible, balanced, and varied eating.
Normal eating is not perfect!
Normal eating means overeating sometimes and under-eating others; eating exactly what you crave at some meals and missing the mark at others.
Normal eating is intuitive, and intuitive eating is NEVER perfect.
Normal eating is eating intuitively, and making room for when life gets in the way.
Normal eating is eating an early lunch even when you’re not hungry because you know you won’t have another chance until later in the day. If you find yourself trying to be a “perfect” intuitive eater, you’re falling into a diet trap, and there IS another way!
Normal eating is what intuitive eating can bring you. Once you relax your food rules and give yourself unconditional permission to eat ALL foods, food becomes just that… food. That’s when a normal relationship with food can take over!
Check out intuitive eating expert Ellyn Satter’s definition of normal eating:
“Normal eating is going to the table hungry and eating until you are satisfied. It is being able to choose food you like and eat it and truly get enough of it -not just stop eating because you think you should.
Normal eating is being able to give some thought to your food selection so you get nutritious food, but not being so wary and restrictive that you miss out on enjoyable food.
Normal eating is giving yourself permission to eat sometimes because you are happy, sad or bored, or just because it feels good.
Normal eating is mostly three meals a day, or four or five, or it can be choosing to munch along the way. It is leaving some cookies on the plate because you know you can have some again tomorrow, or it is eating more now because they taste so wonderful.
Normal eating is overeating at times, feeling stuffed and uncomfortable. And it can be under-eating at times and wishing you had more.
Normal eating is trusting your body to make up for your mistakes in eating.
Normal eating takes up some of your time and attention, but keeps its place as only one important area of your life.
In short, normal eating is flexible. It varies in response to your hunger, your schedule, your proximity to food and your feelings.”
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To learn more about “normal eating” and start the process of Intuitive Eating, you can register for my Intuitive Eating Essentials online course to get on the road to learning Make Peace with Food and Your Body Image.
Intuitive Eating Essentials Online course: This is a self-paced program that explores your relationship with food, your dieting history, readiness to integrate intuitive eating into your life, and teaches you how to use your values to make peace with food. This program also offers a bonus module of training for women in Midlife, Menopause and Beyond with special lessons dedicated to how we change as we age and what role nutrition can play. Click here for all the details!
We also have a program to help those just beginning their eating disorder recovery journey.
Nutritional Guidance: This course helps you free yourself from food rules that keep you stuck in unhealthy patterns of eating and embrace intuitive eating. Click here to learn more.
Erica Leon is a Registered Dietitian and practices from a Health at Every Size (HAES®) lens. She is certified as an eating disorder specialist and is passionate about helping women at midlife, menopause and beyond to make peace with food and body image.
Erica is a highly sensitive nutrition therapist who takes the time to learn where you or your family are in the pursuit of health. Respectful of your individual needs and lifestyle, she will provide an honest assessment of whether or not you are a good fit to work together. Click here to schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call with Erica to let us know about your needs, and to see which of our Dietitians is the best fit for you!
Download our Free Intuitive Eating Guide and get off that Diet Roller Coaster for good!
