July 2020 Issue - Natural Awakenings Tucson

PRINCIPLES OF INTUITIVE EATING

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Tucson Edition

by Katta Mapes

he practice of intuitive eating has, at its core, the spiritual dictum written at the entrance to the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, home of the Oracle of Delphi—“Know Thyself ”.

This way of eating is built upon learning self-trust, self-care and self-compassion. It invites us to relearn how to eat as a baby does—eating only when hungry and stopping when full.

This sounds so simple, but in the world with a billion-dollar diet industry, this may take lots of discovery and learning in order to integrate their foundational principle of “eat less and move more” with trusting and honoring our bodies’ needs. The plethora of eating fads and trends is dizzying and changing all the time. We are told what to eat, or not; when and how to eat, or not. A current fad is to wear virus protection masks in the kitchen to cover the mouth so that one won’t be tempted to eat.

Intuitive eating involves a new, dynamic way of relating to food and eating. Holly Bryant, Registered Dietitian Supervisor for Health and Wellness at El Rio Community

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Health Center, in Tucson, is relearning her approach to helping clients with intuitive eating. “It switches the framework from me being the ‘expert’ about nutrition to the client being the expert of their body and finding authentic health on their terms,” she says. “Intuitive eating empowers you to engage in a mind-body integration through curiosity and compassion.”

The following 10 principles of intuitive eating are found in more detail in Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach, by Evelyn Tribole, M.S., R.D. and Elyse Resch, M.S., R.D., F.A.D.A.

1

Reject the diet mentality Author Tribole says, “The first prin-

ciple of intuitive eating is to stop dieting— and to stop believing society’s messages that quick-fix plans can deliver lasting results.”

2

Honor your hunger

Listen to the body’s hunger cues.

Become mindful of the physical sensations of hunger.