The 10 Principles of Intuitive Eating

This article used to be called "what is intuitive eating?", but to find out what intuitive eating is you have to spend long while actually trying to do it and then doing it. It's only then it eventually "clicks" and you have an almightly "a-ha" moment, when something like you want to stop eating more than you want to carry on happens. At first, it's all very theoretical and, honestly, can sound jsut like another diet where you are trying to gain control over your eating using your mind. Intuitive eating is "an exhaustive learning programme that normalises the appetite, where you learn how to want to eat normally.

Nourishing Your Body, Mind, and Soul

In a world saturated with fad diets and quick-fix weight loss solutions, this method stands out as a refreshing and sustainable approach to nutrition and well-being. It’s not a diet because it doesn’t use goals or rules as a way of controlling eating ; it’s a transformative philosophy that encourages a profound reconnection with your body’s natural signals and wisdom.

Compassion

This is a compassionate and holistic way of relating to food and your body. At its core, it’s about relearning how to trust yourself. Instead of adhering to rigid diet rules and external guidelines, it encourages you to tap into your innate hunger and fullness cues. You are encouraged to eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re satisfied, without judgment or guilt.

The Principles of Intuitive Eating

1. Reject the Diet Mentality:

   The first step in this transformative journey is to let go of the diet mindset. It means rejecting the idea that you need to follow a specific diet to be healthy or happy.

2. Honour Your Hunger:

   You are encouraged to recognise and respect your body’s hunger signals. Eat when you’re genuinely hungry, and choose foods that satisfy both your physical and emotional needs.

3. Make Peace with Food:

   No food is inherently “good” or “bad.” Intuitive Eating promotes the idea that all foods are equal and the only way to judge a good is by how it tastes to you. This principle helps eliminate the feelings of guilt or shame often associated with eating certain foods.

4. Challenge the Food Police:

   Intuitive Eating involves silencing the inner critic that constantly judges your food choices. It helps you develop a kinder and more compassionate relationship with yourself.

5. Discover the Satisfaction Factor: 

   Eating should be a pleasurable experience. Intuitive Eating encourages you to savour your food and seek satisfaction in your meals.

6. Feel Your Fullness:

    Pay attention to your body’s cues for fullness and stop eating when you’re satisfied. This principle helps prevent overeating and promotes a sense of physical well-being.

7. Cope with Emotions Without Using Food:

   Instead of using food to numb or soothe emotions, Intuitive Eating suggests finding alternative ways to deal with feelings, such as journaling, talking to a friend, or engaging in a creative activity.

8. Respect Your Body:

   Embrace your unique body shape and size. Intuitive Eating promotes self-acceptance and self-love, regardless of whether your body conforms to societal ideals.

9. Exercise for Fun and Health:

   Shift your perspective on exercise from a means of burning calories to a way to enjoy movement and improve your overall well-being.

10. Honour Your Health with Gentle Nutrition:

    Finally, while Intuitive Eating doesn’t focus on specific diets or food rules, it encourages you to make choices that support your overall health and well-being in a balanced and flexible way. Often this principle is not required because all the other principles eventually lead to natural appetite change and wanting to eat a normal diet anyway.

    
    

The Benefits of Intuitive Eating

This way of learning how to eat isn’t just about what you eat; it’s a transformation of how you relate to food and your body. By embracing its principles, you can experience improved body satisfaction, reduced stress around eating, enhanced emotional well-being, and a healthier relationship with food. It’s a journey towards not only better physical health but also a more joyful and fulfilling life.

Intuitive Eating Counselling

At the Appetite club we encourage you to learn about intuitive eating all you can because anyone can make this journey with a the right knowldge. Some people need some support and this is where cancelling comes in. Contact contact Alison at The Appetite Club now..