One of the most common questions I get asked when it comes to Intuitive Eating (IE) is – ‘how do I start?’
The truth is, our bodies are pretty clever in regards to knowing what they want and need and when they want and need it but the thing is, for most of us, diet culture has interrupted our bodies’ signals and has convinced us to believe that those internal cues cannot be trusted.
When you stop fighting your own mind and body, you are able to tune in to these internal messages and meet your psychological and biological needs. However, understandably, when you have spent years dieting and ignoring or trying to drown out what your body is asking for, it is going to take you a while to relearn everything. But if you are patient and compassionate towards yourself, you will get there.
So, where is a good place to start? There are 10 Intuitive Eating principles however, before you put pressure on yourself to learn them all, the tips below may help ease you in to it…
-
Start thinking about your food choices…
Are you eating food because you genuinely like and WANT it, or, are you listening to your inner critic and choosing it because you think it’s ‘healthier’ or lower in calories? Once you start to identify this, you can start to challenge it. If you are choosing low cal foods to fill you up instead of SATISFY you, you will likely end up overeating anyway because you are eating to feel full and not comfortable. For example, you feel like something sweet after your main meal. You tell yourself you are ‘not allowed’ your favourite chocolate bar so you choose to eat 3 packs of low cal popcorn instead. You may feel unsatisfied and eat the chocolate bar anyway and then feel guilty… BUT, if you had just had the chocolate bar you wanted, you’ll likely feel satisfied!
Now, this is not to say one food is more satisfying than the other, it is an example of how you might pick one food over the other but still feel like your body is asking for something else.
Additionally, the moment you label a food ‘off limits’ your body will want it even more which will likely lead to an ongoing argument in your head – exhausting right!? So try choosing foods that your body is asking for. You will likely find that once you’ve had as much chocolate as you want, your body will then fancy some veg and protein – because like I said, our bodies are clever and are aware of what it needs to thrive.
-
Shut down the ‘Food Police’!
Following on from point one, try and become more aware of when that voice (the food police) is interrupting your food choices. This voice has come from environmental situations that you’ve been exposed to (AKA DIET CULTURE) and uses misinformation to question your decisions around food. When you become aware of this, you can tell it to F*** off! Only you have the ability to become completely in tune with your body’s needs so do not let misinformation get in the way of that. Also, stop comparing yourself to what others are eating. Your body is unique and comparison will get you nowhere.
-
Throw your scales away!
Are you someone that weighs yourself everyday? If the answer is yes, answer this – does it bring happiness to your life? I am guessing the answer is no. Health and happiness cannot be measured on weighing scales and they should not dictate how you feel about yourself!
-
Try eating mindfully
Mindful eating encourages you to slow down, acknowledge what you are eating and how you are eating. A lot of time we are in a rush or eating with distractions that draw our attention away from the whole eating experience. Eating mindfully allows you to be more present and actually enjoy and focus on what you are eating which may also help you become more in tune with your satiety signals. Check out my blog to discover how you might incorporate mindful eating in to your routine and how it may help.
Although it may take some time and practice to feel in tune with your body again, research shows that those who eat intuitively experience improved levels of self esteem, less time preoccupied with food, improved body satisfaction and long term sustainable health.
Helpful resources:
- Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program That Works by Evelyn Tribole & Elyse Resch
