Intuitive eating principles and diet culture are interconnected ideals that pervade our society today. Diet culture is basically the lens through which our society views eating, weight, nutrition, and health. Diet culture labels some bodies, foods, movements, or looks as bad and others as good, all under the guise of health and wellness.
According to an article by NPR in 2022, “nearly half of New Year’s resolutions in the U.S. were based on fitness and 40% were based on weight loss.”
The article said, “There are an endless number of reasons why you might want to change your body — that holiday weight, your dating profile, medical issues, your new bathing suit — but the real culprit is usually diet culture….You might think you’re not subscribing to diet culture, but rather are focusing on your health or fitness.”
In a nutshell, here are some harmful effects of diet culture, according to the National Eating Disorders Association:
- Diet culture mixes shape and health arbitrarily.
- Diet culture is all about following external rules about what and when to eat.
- Diet culture perpetuates the idea that skinny people are better than fat people.
- Diet culture creates the notion of thin privilege, making size a gatekeeper for opportunities.
- Diet culture equates movement with punishment.
Now, let’s talk about intuitive eating. This is essentially a way of thinking that resists all the lies of diet culture. While not new, it is becoming a hot topic for many people around the country.
Please note that this is a hefty topic that the scope of this article cannot fully handle; however, we’ll try to share some information and encourage readers to do their own research and consult professionals when it comes to their health and well-being.
With that being said, let’s dive in and learn more about intuitive eating principles!
READ MORE: To the Newly-Postpartum Mom: Consider Intuitive Eating, Not Harmful Dieting
Good Vs. Evil
One intuitive eating principle focuses on the morality of food. Food cannot be inherently good or evil. A brownie is a brownie – not a demon. A carrot is a carrot – not a commandment. Different foods contain different vitamins and nutrients that our bodies need to function physically and cognitively.
Instead of worrying about made-up morals associated with food, instead focus on eating foods you enjoy, honoring feelings of hunger and fullness (this can take some practice), and considering the variety of vitamins and nutrients you’re consuming. This is a much healthier mindset and can help heal a poor relationship with food.
Recognizing food for what it is – just food – can help you take control of what you eat without unnecessary shame or embarrassment. So let’s do ourselves a favor and get rid of words like “naughty” when it comes to describing food.
More Than Fuel
A lot of celebrities get asked what they eat in a day or how they get in shape for a certain part. These questions strip food and exercise of their full purposes, downgrading them to simply the role of fuel. That does a disservice to all of us.
Food is more than a combination of ingredients. Certain foods trigger positive memories for us or help us celebrate milestones and holidays. Foods are a major part of most unique cultures around the globe. Similarly, exercise is more than just weight loss and muscle mass. For many, it’s about stretching your muscles, getting fresh air, trying something new, socializing, etc.
Food and exercise are part of the beauty of the human experience. Let’s make sure we see their true value and not diminish their roles in our lives. That’s one of the important intuitive eating principles. Remember, food is not gasoline and you are not a car. You are a human and you are allowed to enjoy food.
READ MORE: My Surprising Journey To Better Health And Wellness – Part 1
Different is Okay
There are billions of people on the planet, and we are all wonderfully different and unique. We are shaped by our religions, loved ones, genetics, histories, and so much more. We have different likes, tastes, backgrounds, health issues, climates, geography, finances, support, time, and interests.
When you think about that, it becomes clear that we cannot all eat alike. To assume that there is a set menu of foods that will nourish and sustain everyone, in the same way, is simply ridiculous.
Intuitive eating principles essentially come down to getting to know your body. What foods make you feel good and happy? When do you often feel hungry? What makes you feel full? What textures and tastes do you enjoy? Answering questions like these will help you feed your belly and your soul, without relying on random external cues. Embrace your individual eating preferences.
Keep Trying
There are tons of intuitive eating principles out there. If you want to learn more, that’s great! Try finding a professional who can give you the individual guidance you deserve. Someone like Grace Hamner can help you “radically change the way you eat with intuitive eating” and get you started on your path to more well-rounded health and wellness. Intuitive eating is for everyone, and giving it a try will help you feel the difference in how you embrace eating and food.
No matter where you are in your relationship with food and your body, remember to keep learning, strive for healthy progress over perfection, give yourself lots of grace, and avoid guilt and shame.
WANT TO READ MORE?
Check out 31 Of The Best Wellness Check Products For A Healthy Lifestyle for more advice, tips, and tricks.
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