The mind-body connection
Intuitive eating is the most natural form of eating for humans. In today’s world, where various nutritional recommendations that often contradict each other literally pour in from every side, it is important to have at least a basic overview of nutrition. From Latin, the word intuition can be translated as insight or perception, a sense of understanding; in the case of eating, it is about being in harmony with your body’s signals. Simply put, I do what I consider right based on my feelings.
What does it mean when someone eats intuitively?
An intuitive eater eats when they are hungry. They stop eating when they are comfortably full and feel no need to overeat. They do not eliminate any nutrients, do not label food as “good” or “bad,” and do not count calories. However, this does not mean they have a bag of chips for breakfast, two donuts for lunch, and pizza for dinner! They strive to provide the body with everything it needs, eating several times a day, with every meal containing fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, along with essential vegetables and fruit.
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How to start with intuitive eating?
First, it is necessary to “switch” your thought process and stop labeling all foods as “good” or “bad.” Unfortunately, these adjectives are widely used in connection with food, but it is important to realize that the amount you consume is much more significant. Next, it is helpful to organize your basic knowledge regarding a balanced diet. Trustworthy literature or a nutritional therapist can help you with this. The next step is an overall slowing down and listening. Observe how you feel after eating, whether something made you feel heavy, if you think about certain foods more often, and what you enjoy. Eat slowly, without distractions. At first, this process may seem complicated, but you will gradually find that it is actually much simpler than counting every gram of food on your plate to avoid accidentally exceeding your daily intake. Although calorie counting should not be dismissed entirely, as it is very helpful in certain situations. Enjoy your food.
For whom might intuitive eating not be the right path?
Of course, if you are being treated for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or other illnesses, consult your doctor with your decision first. Always make decisions about changes to your diet based on your health status.
What to take away from this?
This type of eating is one of the most sustainable ways to enrich yourself both physically and mentally. Intuitive eating aims to listen to your body and avoid nonsensical diets that are limiting and cause unnecessary stress. There is no need to forbid anything. It is only necessary to have an overview of the quantity and representation of all essential nutrients in every meal and to know when you have had enough.
