Intuitive eating is a holistic and sustainable non-diet approach to eating, focusing on reconnecting to your body's signals and cultivating a positive and flexible relationship with food. Intuitive eating separates weight loss from overall physical and mental health, and encourages self-care and body kindness.
Dieting on the other hand, a common practice in our society, can often lead to unhealthy eating habits, weight cycling, poor body image, low self-esteem and even disordered eating.
Lets look at some of the differences between dieting and Intuitive Eating:
Dieting | Intuitive eating |
Focuses on weight loss | Focuses on overall health and wellbeing |
Limited and controlled food choices | Variety of satisfying food choices |
Rigid and restrictive approach to food | Flexible and adaptive approach to food |
Can lead to disordered eating | Can help improve your relationship with food |
Often unsustainable and difficult to adhere to | Sustainable approach to eating |
Increases stress around food | Decreases stress around food |
Negative and critical body image | Positive and accepting body image |
Exercise as punishment or an obligation to lose weight or burn calories | Joyful and enjoyable movement |
Suppression of cravings/hunger cues | Honouring of cravings/hunger/fullness |
Studies have shown that intuitive eating is associated with the following benefits:
Improved body image: When you eat intuitively, you're less likely to focus on your weight and more likely to focus on your overall health and well-being. This can lead to a more positive body image.
Reduced emotional eating: When you're not restricting your food intake, you're less likely to turn to food to cope with stress or difficult emotions. This can lead to reduced emotional eating.
Increased self-esteem: When you learn to trust your body and eat what you enjoy, you're more likely to feel good about yourself. This can lead to increased self-esteem.
Improved physical health: Eating a variety of nutritious foods can help you improve your physical health. Intuitive eating can help you make healthy choices without feeling restricted.
Reduced risk of disordered eating: Dieting can often lead to disordered eating, such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. Intuitive eating can help you reduce your risk of developing these disorders.
If you're tired of the constant cycle of diets and want to cultivate a more positive and sustainable relationship with food, I would love to work with you to discover a new way of eating that promotes both physical and mental health. To start the journey with me, get in touch or book directly on my online calendar here :) xx
If you are interested in learning more about intuitive eating, I would suggest reading the book by Elyse Resch and Evelyn Tribole: Intuitive Eating, 4th Edition. A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach.
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