Nutrition is more than just, food.
“Intuitive Eating” is a term that some people think sounds too feminine, too hippie or perhaps it isn’t action-oriented enough for some (as my husband would say).
Well, there are 10 principles of intuitive eating and after a couple observations I will share them with you because I think the concepts are essential for good health.
AND, I just want to preface all of this with: I’m not perfect at all of them all the time- I’m human too!
My observations:
It turns out paying attention to what you’re eating is actually really important.
Two of the biggest problems I’ve seen, is that sometimes people won’t remember to:
1.) Look at their food.
2.) Chew it and breathe.
Let me just say, I’ve come home from work hungry, and I too and have wanted to just Netflix Narcos during dinner.
But, the problems you will run into if you don’t do the above, include delayed gastric emptying because your body has to work harder to digest your food, and unawareness of how much you actually need to eat.
See, this is where the eyes on your food comes into play: if you’re not looking at your food (or preparing it beforehand, lets be real, you might have just warmed up a burrito), THEN you will not be ready to digest it. Your HCl, or stomach acid will not be ready to TURN UP at the level it needs to be.
The other reason looking at your food is also important is to know how much you have eaten and to know when you’re actually full. It sounds simple, but I guarantee if your knee deep in New Girl eating cheese puffs, you’re likely going to eat a lot more puffs than you might have otherwise.
OKAY, now for the 10 principles:
Reject the diet mentality. Move on from feeling like a failure every time a diet didn't work for you.
Honor your hunger. Develop body trust for what you need to be nourished.
Make peace with food. Say goodbye to food rules, restrictions and labeling food as "good" or "bad."
Challenge the food police. Don't listen to the inner voice that says you're "good" or "bad" for eating a particular food.
Feel your fullness. Check in and ask yourself how the food tastes and listen to the body's signals when no longer hungry.
Discover the satisfaction factor. Allow yourself to eat foods that satisfy you and find enjoyment in food.
Cope with your emotions without using food. Ask yourself, "What do I really need in this moment?"
Respect your body. Recognize your body for all that it has been through in order for you to survive, and all that it does for you instead of criticizing it for all the ways it's not perfect.
Exercise. Feel the difference and shift your focus from calorie counting to how you actually FEEL after movement.
Honor your health. Eat what tastes and makes you feel good! The goal isn't to see all foods as equally nutritious but to have the same emotional response, regardless of what you eat.
That was a lot- I will have to unpack these gradually!
Stay Minted,
Megan G.
