Client Quote # 64: intuitive eating

Diet culture turns everything into a diet, a way to control. What if we create rules for every interoceptive cue? What if we made it a rule that you should only go to the washroom when you have a distinct bladder cue? Even if you’re about to go on a long road trip with no washroom breaks, or about to watch a 3 hour long movie in the theater. Sorry, you’re not supposed to go to the washroom preemptively if you do not have the cue. 

Intuitive eating (IE) is a process intended to heal our relationship with food. Its first principles are to practice unconditional permission with eating, to challenge food policing, to foster mindfulness with enjoyment of food. It encourages us to honour both hunger and fullness in the context of adequacy, flexibility and spontaneity. Part of normal eating is over-eating at times and under-eating at times, while ensuring we are being practical with self-nourishment. 

Intuitive eating is also not a one-size-fit-all process. It tends to work for folks who have access to interoception- the ability to recognize, acknowledge and respond appropriately to internal body cues. Not everyone has access to interoception, therefore many people also find intuitive eating very frustrating when they have a different connection to their cues. If you’re having trouble navigating IE, it can be beneficial to find a dietitian who is specialized to help you explore this process.