What Is Intuitive Eating? This is a question many people ask me.
Intuitive Eating is a self-care eating framework, which integrates instinct, emotion, & 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 120 studies to date. “People are tired of feeling at war with their own bodies,” says Evelyn Tribole, RDN. Intuitive Eating is a 10-principle approach that includes back-to-seriously-basic stuff: Pay attention to signals of hunger and fullness, reject diet mentality and food rules, and adopt body-positive behaviors, like exercising and eating food that makes you feel good.”
Research consistently shows that diets do not work, but the problem is we live in a world where our entire perception of health and fitness is molded by a diet mindset. Many of us reach the point where we are done with obsessing about what, how much, and when to eat each meal and snack. We know there must be a better way, but walking away from dieting means letting of many pre-conceived “truths”, and intuitive eating can feel radical!
Learning to eat intuitively neutralizes foods so there are no “good” or “bad” foods. You get to decide if, when and how much of that cake, piece of chicken or chips you will enjoy. When you first allow yourself the freedom to eat without guilt, your choices may skew towards heavier and more “fun” or “play” foods — that is okay and totally normal. You cannot learn to eat intuitively without neutralizing all foods.
Intuitive eating helps people rid themselves of the diet mentality by learning to distinguish between physical and emotional feelings, trust their own inner wisdom, and ultimately make peace with food and discover true satisfaction in eating.
Here are THE 10 PRINCIPLES OF INTUITIVE EATING:
- Reject the Diet Mentality
- Honor Your Hunger
- Make Peace with Food
- Challenge the Food Police
- Respect Your Fullness
- Discover the Satisfaction Factor
- Honor Your Feelings Without Using Food.
- Respect Your Body
- Exercise — Feel the Difference
- Honor Your Health — Gentle Nutrition
These are the ten guiding principles, but learning and integrating these principles takes time and lots of personal experimentation. The real beauty in intuitive eating is that you approach it from a place of exploration and discovery. There are no mistakes, but only learning opportunities and a chance to undo preconceived notions about what is good or right for your body.
Because it can be so difficult to go it alone and change your thinking and eating habits, I have created two solutions to help people looking to become more of an Intuitive Eater and to learn to follow these 10 principles.
Register for the Intuitive Eating Essentials Program.
This program delivers even more … you are part of a group that includes video lessons and two monthly group coaching call (Live with me, Erica Leon) as well as guest speakers, handouts, resources and more. Intuitive Eating Essentials offers more support and even training to help you develop those Intuitive Eating Skills and habits.
Learn more here: Intuitive Eating Essentials Program.
Come join me in your journey towards food freedom and body peace with my online intuitive eating programs.
