{"id":1465,"date":"2023-09-11T08:51:57","date_gmt":"2023-09-11T15:51:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/ucan\/?p=1465"},"modified":"2023-09-11T08:51:57","modified_gmt":"2023-09-11T15:51:57","slug":"intuitive-eating-for-dummies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/ucan\/intuitive-eating-for-dummies\/","title":{"rendered":"Intuitive Eating for Dummies"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Intuitive eating has become somewhat of a buzzword lately. But what does it mean and where does it come from?<\/p>\n

The coined term intuitive eating<\/a> is from dietitians and authors Elyse Resch, MS, RDN, CEDRD-S, FAND and Evelyn Tribole, MS, RDN, CEDRD-S.<\/p>\n

The framework pulls from multiple disciplines of nutritional and metabolic science and the authors\u2019 experience working with hundreds of clients over decades of clinical work as dietitians.<\/p>\n

\"\"Intuitive Eating is a self-care framework that is meant to help us learn to trust, accept, and respect our bodies. It has 3 main tenets:<\/p>\n

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  1. Holistic health<\/li>\n
  2. Intuitive body signals<\/li>\n
  3. Mindful eating<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Holistic health<\/h3>\n

    Holistic health means looking at all aspects of a person\u2019s health, not just physical. So, if eating a certain way is good for you physically, but is absolutely wrecking your mental and social health, the way you are eating is not necessarily \u201chealthy\u201d from a holistic lens.<\/p>\n

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    Intuitive Body Signals<\/h3>\n

    Intuitive body signals are just that: the signals our bodies send us when we need something!<\/p>\n

    Our body sends us signals for when we need to use the bathroom (feelings of urgency, uncomfortable bladder, pressure in our intestines, etc.), when we need to eat (growling stomach, irritability, low energy, etc.), when we\u2019re done eating (feeling satisfied, not thinking about food anymore, pleasantly drowsy, etc.), when we need social interaction (feeling lonely or down).<\/p>\n\n

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    \n There are many signals our bodies send us; we just have to learn to listen to them.<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

    Think of how easily we respond to the urge to use the restroom: we just find a bathroom and go! There\u2019s no need to get angry at ourselves for having to use the restroom, because it\u2019s a simple physiological process.<\/p>\n

    The same goes for our hunger and fullness signals. Society and diet culture make a lot of \u201crules\u201d around when we can and cannot eat, what we should eat, and how we should eat. But our bodies are SO smart – they can let us know internally, without all the extra rules.<\/p>\n

    Mindful Eating<\/h3>\n

    And lastly, mindful eating is another important guiding tenet to the Intuitive Eating framework. Mindfulness is the intentional act of staying in the present, without judgment.<\/p>\n

    \"\"Try a quick activity with me. Pause what you\u2019re doing and take 5 deep breaths. Notice how it feels to breathe in and out. Notice what thoughts and feelings are going through you right now. This is an example of a mindful moment!<\/p>\n

    Mindful eating is extending that presence to eating. When you\u2019re eating, use your 5 senses: what does the food look like, smell like, taste like, and feel and sound like when you bite into it?<\/p>\n

    Take a moment to pause your Netflix show or YouTube session and notice the food you\u2019re eating! This also helps us get more in tune with our body\u2019s hunger and fullness signals.<\/p>\n

    So, that\u2019s intuitive eating in a nutshell! For more information on Intuitive Eating, I invite you to check out the Intuitive Eating book and journal<\/a>, their website<\/a>, and a few great podcasts that embody Intuitive Eating principles:<\/p>\n

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