Intuitive Eating

As a dietitian, one of the most vital pieces of advice I offer is  "listen to your body." This concept forms the foundation of intuitive eating. Before we dive into the tips for adopting intuitive eating, it's essential to first distinguish between physical and emotional hunger.Physical hunger is discernible through physical bodily sensations;the not so subtle "grrr" your stomach emits during an important meeting. In contrast, emotional hunger stems from emotional triggers, leading to cravings driven by sentiments such as celebration, boredom, or stress. For instance, you might find yourself contemplating ordering a cake to celebrate an occasion or searching for that bag of chips stashed away from the day before due to boredom. 

Now, let's explore ten guidelines that will aid you in integrating intuitive eating into your lifestyle

1. Tune Into Your Body: Allow your hunger cues to serve as your compass. Embrace eating when your body signals hunger and cease when satiety kicks in.2. Abandon Restrictive Diets: Let go of strict diets that often trigger compensatory overeating. Instead, prioritize nourishing your body with wholesome foods that fuel your vitality.3. Embrace Mindful Eating: Engage your senses fully—savor each bite , indulge your taste buds, and immerse yourself in the joy of eating.4. Banish the Clean Plate Ideal: Trust your body to recognize its satiety. End your meal when you are fullness, irrespective of the plate's emptiness.5. Honor your Cravings: If your heart desires a burger or a scoop of ice cream, grant yourself the pleasure while avoiding the tendency for overindulgence.6. Prioritize Hydration: Stay hydrated to avoid mistaking thirst for hunger. Adequate hydration supports your body's cues and overall well-being.7. Flexibility in Eating Habits: Your eating patterns may shift day by day—whether a lighter dinner due to a hearty lunch or an extra sandwich to appease heightened midday hunger—trust your cues.8. Embrace Joyful Movement: Exercise for reasons beyond calorie expenditure. Revel in the benefits of physical activity, such as mental clarity, stress alleviation, improved overall health, and an uplifting mood.9. Embrace Healthy Coping Strategies: Distract your emotions from food. Engage in activities like painting, hiking, swimming, or connecting with a friend, steering clear of food as an emotional crutch.10. Cherish Your Body: Detach your self-worth from your size or weight. Acknowledge and celebrate your body's capabilities.Intuitive eating is all about embracing your body’s cues