Ever wished you could have a simpler relationship with food? For years, what I ate was linked to my self-esteem. Between restrictive diets, binge eating, and calorie counting, constantly thinking about food was exhausting. I wasn’t nourishing my body or allowing myself to truly enjoy food. Until I discovered intuitive eating—an approach to nutrition and wellness that emphasizes creating a healthy relationship with food, encouraging you to listen to your body’s hunger cues and fullness cues. It changed my entire philosophy around food.

The principles behind intuitive eating are designed to help you develop a healthier relationship with food—with an emphasis on honoring + respecting your body, listening to your hunger cues, and becoming more attuned to which foods make you feel good. Asking yourself questions like “Am I hungry or not?” “What am I craving right now?” “Which foods help give me more energy?” “Which foods make me crash?” Leaning into a gentler way of speaking to myself, treating my body with love and care, and eating what I’m craving (without beating myself up for it) has helped me quit that obsessive cycle of dieting—and finally make peace with food. None of this happened overnight…it took work and practice, but eventually I was able to heal my relationship with food and really enjoy eating again.

Intuitive eating has helped me break the cycle of yo-yo dieting, binge eating, and obsessive exercise. It’s taught me to listen to my body and it’s stopped me from feeling deprived. My food philosophy also informs my exercise philosophy—committing to less (no restrictive diets, no overly punishing workouts) to show up more for myself. Finding balance with my eating habits was a life-changing shift for me, and I’d recommend intuitive eating to anyone. 

Please note: This post should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment plan. Intuitive eating is a supportive approach, but it may not be appropriate for everyone. If you (or someone you know) are struggling with an eating disorder (ED) or related mental health issue, seek help from a qualified healthcare professional— whether that’s your primary care doctor, a registered dietician or nutritionist, or counselor.

Sources:

• https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/intuitive-eating/
• https://www.intuitiveeating.org/
• https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/18/well/intuitive-eating.html
• https://www.health.com/nutrition/intuitive-eating