Intuitive Eating and Sparing Mental Health from Dieting

2000’s fad with size zero jeans is out, and body positivity is on the uprise. People are beginning to validate others in the movement to cancel negative body image. And intuitive eating might be one step close to achieving that.

Although it sounds like another diet, intuitive eating is quite the opposite. The idea is to drop dieting and its mentally draining tactics. The trend is also turning the heads of youths who struggle with their self-image.

Many teenagers obsess over counting calories or searching for those grams of sugar. But all that does is rob the initial point of eating -to nourish. Instead of viewing food as “good” or “bad,” the concept is to make peace with it. Rather than restricting, intuitive eating requires tapping into whatever food and amount feel right.

However, that does not mean eating anything, anytime. It is listening to the body’s natural ability to know when it is hungry or satisfied. Eating intuitively also let’s go of the idea that weight must be gained or lost to look a certain way. It helps focus on foods that benefit mental and physical health.

Of the steps, the rejection of dieting is paramount. They not only might fail but dieting frequently can lead to malnourishment or eating disorders. The body is a temple that must be able to get enough

nutrients to function. Restriction can damage physical and mental health in several ways that are not worth risking.

Longtime dieting forces one to ignore hunger pangs, but it is a necessary biological response. Hunger is not the enemy, and respecting its needs is a part of flourishing. A simple way of nurturing this is by practicing eating when hungry and figuring out what food the body wants.

Guilt and shame are also associated with eating, which limits intake and makes food the enemy. Rather than turning a craving into questions of how much or how long, saying yes should become a practice. Doing away with the rules that tell one to stop is a step toward letting go of those chains.

When consuming, hunger level is crucial to frequently assess since it is easy to overeat. Asking questions such as how the food tastes and if it is enough help to control intake. It also allows one to take time and savor the experience of eating. When feeling happy or satisfied, that is enough.

The overall idea is not to lose weight, but to enjoy and feel good eating food. Some people lose or gain pounds through the practice, and some stop binging or restricting. Results vary and intuitive eating does not make any promises or encourage achieving a specific look. However, it does ensure a better relationship with one’s body and food.

Written by Stacey Martinez | Graphic Designed by Stacey Martinez

Published September 1, 2022 | ePathfinder | Feature