The concept of intuitive eating was first developed in the 1990s by two California-based registered dietitians (RDs),Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch. Almost 30 years later, this practice is regaining attraction on social media. Intuitive eating is a non-diet approach to health and wellness that helps you tune into your body signals, break the cycle of chronic dieting and heal your relationship with food. This means relying on your own hunger and satiety signals to guide eating habits.
You might think this means you just eat whatever you want, anytime you want. That’s not the case. Experts say intuitive eating means tapping into your body’s natural ability to tell you when you’re hungry or satisfied. Reject the diet mentality. That's the first principle of intuitive eating;an evidence-based approach to feeding yourself that connects the mind, body, and emotions.
When you eat intuitively, you also let go of the idea that you need to lose or gain weight so you can look a certain way. The idea is to help you focus on foods that work best for your overall physical and mental health.
We need more studies on intuitive eating. But some research has found that while those who consistently eat intuitively may not lose weight, they tend to have lower BMIs (body mass indexes) and better mental health.
Intuitive Eating may be somewhat controversial since it goes against conventional ideas of diet and weight loss as keys to improving health. You may need to find a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist professional for additional support. Intuitive eating focuses on self-care and listening to your body and cravings. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, intuitive eating is not a diet. It encourages you to tune into your own body signals and behaviors. Intuitive eating encourages you to view all foods as equal and to enjoy all foods without guilt.