Intuitive eating

I regularly listen to The Happiness Lab podcast and I found this episode on Intuitive Eating particularly relevant to me. Having worked in the fitness industry for a long time now, I can tell you that the fitness industry does not nurture body love and self acceptance. There is a lot of "should" (shame) and "do better".

In the hope that you will listen to this episode I won't go into all the details, but I feel compelled to highlight one key point the guest speaker, Andrea Wachter, mentioned. Intuitive eating involves listening to your body. I think "listening to your body" is difficult for a lot of people to wrap their heads around but then she suggested asking yourself this question: "How would you feed someone you love, who does not have food issues?" Take a moment to think about this. 

I would feed someone I love with foods that would energize them, give them focus, clarity and enthusiasm to tackle their day. Food that would make them THRIVE and help them be and do their best mentally, emotionally and physically.  I think this is a great lens through which we can look at the food we eat.

It struck me that I use this perspective when doing my own personal emotional work. If I get into a cycle of negative self talk, criticism and judgment, I stop and ask myself "would I be saying this to a dear friend?" It never occurred to me to apply it to eating and it has been a revelation for me.