By Melissa Landry RD and Nichole Sousa RD
Intuitive Eating (IE) is an evidence-based self care framework created by Registered Dietitians Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch. Tired of observing clients struggle with food guilt, poor body image, and repetitive cycles of on-again, off again dieting; the Dietitians built the IE framework to help chronic dieters find peace with food.
Now in it’s 4th Edition, the IE and the anti-diet movement have gained mainstream popularity over recent years as social media makes it easier to share the stories of so many who feel fed up with on-again, of-again dieting failures. If you relate to this experience, you’re not alone.
Most who try end up regaining it all the weight back in 5 years. In fact, studies show the biggest predictor of weight gain over your life is DIETING ITSELF.
Working with an anti-diet dietitian is a great way to understand your own personal struggle with weight with a new perspective, so you can heal and move forward in your life.
does intuitive eating mean giving up and eating whatever you want?
No. Intuitive Eating helps you heal your relationship with food by ending the fight with your body caused by dieting.
While eating what you want is highly encouraged in Intuitive Eating, no one is suggesting you do this at the detriment of your personal comfort or health. IE offers 10 principles and a process for listening to your body.
The 10 Principles of Intuitive Eating
The 10 Principles of Intuitive Eating that will give you skills to listen to your body, instead of yet another failed diet plan. They are:
1. Reject the Diet Mentality
2. Honor Your Hunger
3. Make Peace with Food
4. Challenge the Food Police
5. Discover the Satisfaction Factor
6. Feel Your Fullness
7. Cope with Your Emotions with Kindness
8. Respect Your Body
9. Movement—Feel the Difference
10. Honor Your Health—Gentle Nutrition
which of these principles do you think you need the most support with?
Intuitive Eating is a non-diet approach to nutrition and eating; it removes food restrictions and rules so you can live life free of food guilt. From there, your body finds the weight you are meant to be when you have a way of eating that feels positive and effortless. This can be the hardest part of Intuitive Eating for many – which is why it is important to find a guide who is also familiar with healing negative body image.
My clients work with me to learn intuitive eating skills so they can go from feeling out of control around food to respecting their bodies in just 3 months. To get started download my 3 step guide, which includes a body awareness journaling tool that may help start listening to your boy. You can become an intuitive eater, just like my clients do!
