Diets vs. Intuitive Eating
Diet: a regimen of eating and drinking sparingly so as to reduce one’s weight; to eat sparingly or according to prescribed rules. (Merriam-Webster)
Intuitive Eating: rejects diet culture, a set of beliefs that values thinness, appearance, and shape above health and well-being.
This past weekend I attended an introductory workshop on Intuitive Eating. While I was familiar with some of the Intuitive Eating principles prior to this, I learned some details that I thought you’d find interesting.
For those of you who have discovered a diet that is working well for you, congratulations! 95% of diets fail over the long term and often promote weight gain, so you are a rare success story. 
There are 10 principles of Intuitive Eating that are to be done in order. Master principle #1, then move on and master principle #2, and so on.
The #1 principle: Reject the Diet Mentality
This principle alone could take some time, patience, and a good dose of self-compassion to master.
If you’ve ever failed at a diet, it’s not your fault. You were set up to fail from Day One. Odds are good that dieting has interfered with your life to some degree.
This is a big principle, which is why it’s the first one.
Principle #2: Honor Your Hunger
How does your body KNOW when you’re hungry? What happens within the boundaries of a typical diet if you get hungry when you’re not supposed to?
Principle #3: Make Peace with Food
Do you experience guilt when you enjoy an amazing piece of cake, or suppress a craving for ice cream until you end up eating an entire carton? The only restrictions with IE are those due to food allergies or other medical reasons.
Principle #4: Challenge the Food Police
Eliminate the terms “good” and “bad” foods, and “cheat meals.” Were you told to “clean your plate” as a child? I was. These words are probably still “policing” us today. 
Principle #5: Discover the Satisfaction Factor
How often do you eat on the run, over the sink, or while watching television? When you do, you rob yourself of the pleasure and satisfaction found in the eating experience.
I’ll tell you about the last 5 principles next week and offer a blend of eating alternatives. In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Intuitive Eating, check out Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach, by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch.
Consider what this anti-diet way of eating could mean for you. Could you be open to new ideas and what is possible?
If you’d like to take a deeper dive into any of these principles, shoot me an email.
Sending you love,
Health Coach Carol
P.S. I was informed that October 13, was National M&M’s Day and shared the news with Mr. Non-Compliant. I know there are some of you who are always looking out for him. Perhaps he practices Intuitive Eating.
“If you don’t love it, don’t eat it, and if you love it, savor it.” —Evelyn Tribole