Live Well: Intuitive Eating

Having a healthy relationship with food is important for our physical and mental health. That’s one reason many people have turned to intuitive eating.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, intuitive eating focuses on trusting your inner wisdom to make choices about foods that feel good in your body—without judgment and without influence from diet culture.

The intent is to stop cycles of overindulgence followed by deprivation—and the self-loathing that often goes with it—and develop a more natural, compassionate approach to food and our bodies.

The principles of intuitive eating:

• Rejecting the diet mentality
• Listening to your body’s hunger (and fullness) cues
• Rediscovering the satisfaction of food
• Embracing body movements that feel good to you

Overall, experts recommend focusing on your health goals—not weight-loss or appearance goals. This can help you develop a more natural, positive relationship with food, exercise, and your body.