Intuitive Eating Means Listening to Your Body and Here is How 

Intuitive Eating Means Listening to Your Body and Here is How 

Intuitive eating is based on intuition. Our intuition is an inner knowing of something without requiring analytical or outside input.

In the case of diet, our intuition can shape what, when, and how we eat. Dieting places an emphasis on pre-planned ideas of what to eat and when to eat it which doesn’t account for the intricacies of daily life and the unique, and ever-changing, needs of our bodies. Intuitive eating is influenced by the mind and the body every time you feel hungry. 

There are Two Types of Hunger  

Hunger is the trigger to our brain that we want to eat. Hunger can be triggered by a calorie deficit alerting our brains that we need more fuel. This type of hunger is called physical hunger. 

Physical hunger is satisfied by food

Physical hunger is satiated by eating. Once we have eaten, the pangs of hunger stop and the brain cease sending signals we need to eat until there is a deficit later on. 

Hunger can also be triggered by an emotional reaction. Our brains can feign hunger for a variety of reasons including stress, boredom, weariness, anxiety, and triggered senses. This type of hunger is called emotional hunger.  

Emotional hunger is not satisfied by food

-Emotional hunger isn’t the same as physical hunger and doesn’t end when our stomach is full.

-Emotional hunger masks itself as physical hunger but the nourishment needed is not from calories.

-Emotional hunger is satiated by meeting emotional needs rather than eating food. 

Listen to Your Body to Determine Your Hunger

Intuitive eating emphasizes listening to your body to determine what type of hunger you are experiencing.

Physical hunger is often experienced by pangs that indicate you need to eat. This is apparent if itís been a significant time between meals or you have exerted a lot of energy and your body needs fuel.

Emotional hunger is experienced by the desire to eat. This is apparent if you feel triggered or think about eating something because it brings pleasure to eat it and feels good to have. 

Tips to Learn to Listen to Your Body 

One of the keys to intuitive eating is learning to listen to your body better. Tuning into your hunger, both physical and emotional, can help you make the best decision in that moment.

Unlike a diet that prescribes eating specific foods, your intuition can guide you towards what sort of nourishment makes the most sense at the moment. Try these tips to tune into what your body needs: 

Be mindful of how you feel.

Physical hunger represents itself by lowered energy levels, rumbling in the stomach, and feeling irritable or distracted. These are good indicators your body is telling you itís time to eat. 

Plan ahead for hunger-busting meals.

Physical hunger is satisfied by proper fuel. Choosing the best fuel at the time makes a big difference. Experiment with which healthy foods tend to satisfy and end physical hunger the best. You will know by the level of energy the food gives your body and the absence of negative effects like brain fog, heaviness, or blood sugar crashes. 

Allow time to detox.

If you’re accustomed to highly processed foods your body may desire them above all else. These foods are often convenient and taste delicious but they do little to fuel the body properly. It may seem like your intuition is telling you to indulge, but you may need to detox from certain foods to give your body time to crave healthier options. 

Intuitive eating at its core is determined by listening to your body. Looking for internal cues that let you know when and what to eat. If you’ve been eating with abandon or restricting yourself, it may feel foreign to truly listen to what your intuition tells you. Be patient and learn to discern between the types of hunger and take the best steps at the time.