What is Intuitive Eating

Posted by Suzanne Dietrich on Sunday, September 16, 2018

A love-hate relationship with food can be stifling.  Is this how you would describe yours? Intuitive Eating, described as "freeing" by many of my clients is a way to make peace with food. Designed by two Registered Dietitians – Elyse Resch & Evelyne Tribole, over 20 years ago, it is now gaining great popularity. Their intention, however, was not for it to become a fad diet but a sustainable way of eating. Let's discuss what it is.

A Non-Diet Approach 

Intuitive Eating is based on a non-diet approach to health. Unlike many diet plans, it encourages people to put their weight loss goals on the back burner, and instead focus on functional health.  Maybe being able to tie your shoes easier, carry a heavy pot of food to the table or even play longer outside with your kids are examples of functional health for you or something else? This may seem daunting to you but weight does not determine health. 

The 10 Principles of Intuitive Eating:

Reject The Diet Mentality - focus on sustainable eating

Honour Your Hunger - learn how to understand your body's innate hunger cues

Make Peace With Food - learn how to give yourself unconditional permission to eat

Challenge The Food Police - they exist internally and externally - but are unnecessary

Respect Your Fullness - learn how to understand your body's innate fullness cues

Discover The Satisfaction Factor - eat to feel satiated rather than solely meet nutrition requirements

Honour Your Feelings Without Using Food 

Respect Your Body -  learn to respect or honour your genetic blueprint for size

Exercise - Feel The Difference - movement for fun and pleasure to burn off your last supper

 Honour Your Health - Through Gentle Nutrition - move away from rigid eating rules and enjoy food

Evidenced Based

Research has demonstrated that Intuitive Eaters have better body satisfaction, reduced overeating and psychological stress, improved cardiovascular risks and blood lipids.

Work Toward Joyful Eating

The goal of intuitive eating is to work towards normal eating, which can be joyful, whether healing from disordered eating, chronic dieting or after recovery from an eating disorder.  Listening to many stories of clients who struggle with the heart-wrenching diet cycle for years, I am happy I have been able to offer this approach for the past 5 years. Contact me if you'd like to learn more about this evidence-based approach from a Dietitian passionate, educated and experienced in ending your stifling relationship with food. 

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