What is intuitive eating?

Have you ever heard of the term "intuitive eating?" It seems to be getting a lot of attention lately, and for good reason. Let's break it down.

Intuitive eating is not a diet. In fact, it is the opposite. The goal of intuitive eating is to return to the basics and retrain your brain to listen to your body's hunger and fullness cues—the way we were created to eat and fuel our bodies. For example, if you follow intuitive eating and find yourself craving something, you would go ahead and enjoy it, in moderation of course: One donut will not make you gain weight, just as a single salad will not make you lose weight.

Rather than obsess about a number on a scale, intuitive eating requires you to pay attention to how you feel. Do you feel whole? Do you have more energy? Are you satisfied and enjoying life? Intuitive eating is about respecting your body and allowing it to be the size at which it feels most comfortable. If you let go of a diet mentality and prioritize putting good food into your body, you will be less likely to undereat or overeat and your weight will naturally settle at your healthy weight.

You are unique. You can't change your height or the size of your hands or feet, so why should you expect your body to be larger or smaller than it is meant to be? Let go of the stress of dieting and honor your physical and mental health. Build yourself up with healthy foods, physical activity and respect for yourself.