Intuitive Eating: What is it?

By Caroline Patafio

Dieting typically revolves around changing some aspect of the foods you are consuming. Sometimes, this may be restricting certain foods or replacing them with healthier alternatives. Although dieting can be helpful when done the right way, it is always important to listen to your body. To combat the negative aspects of diet culture, many dietitians have started to emphasize the importance of intuitive eating. Intuitive eating is when you listen to your body's natural cues and make mindful decisions of foods you want to eat.

Anatomically, the hypothalamus is responsible for controlling our sensations of hunger and satiety. To be specific, it sends messages to our brain to notify us that we need some type of nutrient, water, or that we have had enough. In other words, the hypothalamus tells our brain when we are hungry and when we are full. This mechanism of our nervous system is the basis of intuitive eating. These natural cues drive our eating habits and cravings. Therefore, the process of intuitive eating is being conscious of these messages to our brain and actively responding to them. This helps keep our body fueled and ensures we are getting the proper nutrients. This is important because trying to restrict our food intake is not supportive of our bodies and can be harmful. In many cases when we try to intentionally limit our food intake, our body will continue to send these hunger cues until they are fulfilled. At times, this constant message for needing sustenance can be overwhelming when it is disregarded; therefore, it is best when we respond to it in a timely manner.  

Overall, intuitive eating is a great way to improve our relationship with food and also aid in body image struggles. Instead of ignoring when you are hungry, listen to your body, and make mindful decisions of eating food that is nourishing and that you want. This process forms an emotional connection with the foods we are eating because it reminds us of how it helps us grow. Our bodies do everything for us, so it is important to treat them kindly.