Trust your intuition when it comes to eating
Many of us have been taught to rely on external sources when it comes to what we should eat and how much we should consume. We rely on nutrition labels, experts, friends, or even social media influencers to guide us on the path of healthy food choices. However, what if I told you that the best compass for making decisions about your diet may already be within you? Trusting your intuition when it comes to eating can be a game-changer for your health. In this article, I will explore the reasons why trusting your body is the way to go and how it can change your relationship with food and yourself.
Intuitive eating
At the core of trusting your intuition when it comes to eating is a practice called intuitive eating. Intuitive eating is a mind-body approach to food that honors your hunger and fullness cues while also respecting your food preferences and rejecting the diet mentality. The idea is simple: trust your body to tell you what it needs and listen to it. No more counting calories, weighing food, or feeling guilty for eating something delicious.
Intuitive eating is not a new fad. In fact, it has been around for decades and has been backed up by science. Studies have shown that intuitive eaters have a healthier relationship with food and their bodies compared to those who follow strict diets or have disordered eating habits. Intuitive eaters are less likely to develop eating disorders, have lower BMI, and have better mental health outcomes.
Trusting your intuition vs. external sources
So why is trusting your intuition when it comes to eating better than relying on external sources? Here are some arguments:
- External sources can be unreliable
- Your intuition is unique
- Trusting your intuition is empowering
- Trusting your intuition improves your relationship with food
Nutrition labels, food experts, and even studies can be biased, outdated, or simply incorrect. The food industry is notorious for exaggerating health claims, hiding harmful ingredients, or manipulating serving sizes to make their products seem healthier than they are. Food experts can have conflicting opinions about what is healthy or not, and some may have ties to the industry. Studies can be sponsored or influenced by corporations with vested interests. In short, external sources can be unreliable and sometimes outright deceptive.
No one knows your body and your food preferences better than you do. Your intuition is shaped by your genetics, culture, environment, and experiences. What works for someone else may not work for you, and vice versa. By trusting your intuition, you are honoring your individuality and your right to make choices that align with your needs and values.
When you rely on external sources for guidance, you are giving away your power to someone or something else. You may feel like you have to follow rules, restrictions, or trends that don’t resonate with you, in order to be healthy or fit in. This can create feelings of anxiety, guilt, or shame when you deviate from these standards. On the other hand, when you trust your intuition, you are reclaiming your power and your agency. You are saying, “I know what’s best for me, and I am worthy of making my own choices.”
When you follow external sources blindly, you may feel like you are in a constant battle with food. You may label certain foods as “good” or “bad”, feel guilty for indulging, or obsess over counting calories or macros. This can lead to a disordered relationship with food, where you see it as your enemy and not as a source of pleasure and nourishment. By trusting your intuition, you are cultivating a positive relationship with food. You are letting go of the shame and guilt associated with eating and embracing the pleasure and joy that comes with it.
How to trust your intuition
Trusting your intuition when it comes to eating is not always easy, especially if you have been conditioned to ignore or suppress your hunger and fullness cues. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Pause and listen
- Eliminate distractions
- Practice non-judgmental awareness
- Experiment
Before you eat, take a moment to pause and listen to your body. What is it telling you? Are you hungry? How hungry are you? What type of food do you crave? How much food do you need to feel satisfied? By listening to your body, you are acknowledging its needs and respecting them.
When you eat, try to eliminate as many distractions as possible. Turn off the TV, put away your phone, and sit in a calm environment. This will allow you to fully focus on your food and your body’s response to it. You will be more mindful of your eating habits and more in tune with your intuition.
As you eat, practice non-judgmental awareness. This means observing your thoughts and feelings without judging them as good or bad. You may notice that you are feeling guilty for eating a certain food, or that you are eating too fast. Instead of beating yourself up, acknowledge these thoughts and feelings with kindness and curiosity. Ask yourself why you are feeling this way and what you can do to honor your intuition instead.
Trusting your intuition is a process, and it may take some trial and error to figure out what works best for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new foods or eating patterns. Sometimes your intuition may surprise you, and that’s okay. Remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to intuitive eating.
Conclusion
Trusting your intuition when it comes to eating can be a radical act of self-love and self-care. It can help you forge a positive relationship with food and your body, empower you to make choices that honor your individuality, and free you from the diet mentality that permeates our culture. By tuning into your body’s signals, you are recognizing its wisdom and its innate ability to heal and nourish itself. So the next time you are faced with a food decision, turn inward and listen to what your body is telling you. Your intuition may surprise you.