Intuitive eating is all the rage lately, due to its balanced approach to health, wellness and the foods we eat. It is a great way to take away the “diet” mentality and the anxiety it can cause. Intuitive eating is something I teach my clients to ensure a lifelong, healthy relationship with the mind, body and soul. But to ensure that this isn’t just another fad diet to come and go out of your life, there are some steps you can take to get the most out of intuitive eating.
But first, what is Intuitive eating?
Intuitive eating guides you towards a healthier you by being aware of your body, how it responds to the foods you consume, listening to your hunger cues, and knowing what makes you feel best. It trains you to choose nourishing and satisfying foods that your body wants and needs. It also enables a positive attitude toward food and being kind to yourself when you overindulge in treat foods. It truly is the foundation of balance.
So if you are looking to rid yourself of the anxiety that comes along with another trendy diet then this could be something to consider. Yes, you can start intuitive eating today by being more aware of what your body is telling you, but all things take preparation and these steps can help. It might seem counter intuitive to take this approach, but in the end you will get the most out of intuitive eating and can solely rely on your gut and what its telling you.
• Acknowledgement
Be real with yourself. Really analyze your current day to day state of what you are consuming, how you are feeling, and acknowledge what no longer serves you. Even if you have to write down what a normal day looks like for you so you can see it and evaluate it.
• Detox from sugars
Sugar addiction is real and affects so many us! Sugar causes cravings, lethargy, anxiety, headaches, bloating, insomnia, the list goes on. It will be hard to listen to your body when you have false cues coming from sugar. I would take 2 weeks to slowly start eliminating sugars from your body so you can have a fresh outlook on your body’s intentions.
• Planning
Even intuitive eating can take some planning. This sort of starts with detoxing your body of sugar. Write down your plan of attack. Write up your grocery list, what your meals will look like for the week, what your intentions are for this new approach. If necessary, hire someone who specializes in this to help you make a plan.
• Meditation
Meditation is such a good way to get in tune with your body and thoughts. It is a good way to quiet your mind, helping you focus on the energy of your body, while relaxing and embracing your inner peace. It can also help you ease any stress that can be associated with starting a new routine.
• Tracking
Until you become acclimated to intuitive eating, it is best to keep a journal of what you consume, how you feel before and after each meal, and how your body responds day to day. This is a great training tool for yourself to visualize how your body communicates with you. Eventually, it will become second nature and you won’t need to track at all, which is a very empowering feeling.
Intuitive eating should be a stress free approach to reaching your goals. By following these steps, you can assure that you are getting the most out of healthy living without the obsession or neglect of foods. Your body will thank you!