Intuitive Eating
Posts filed under:
Every new year, the internet floods with posts about becoming the “new year, new me.” Promises of overnight transformation and perfect routines dominate our feeds. But how do these messages hold up in reality? Let’s break down some of the common “New Year, New Me” internet trends versus what they look like in real life—through a non-diet, compassionate lens.
1. Internet: “Hot girls do this. Cool girls never do that.”
Reality: Hot, cool, or otherwise—your life isn’t meant to fit a TikTok trend. What truly matters is doing things that feel good to YOU, align with YOUR values, and add joy to your life. There’s no universal checklist for being “cool.” Focus on living a life that feels authentic and fulfilling for you, not one built around societal “shoulds.”
2. Internet: “I just need to completely start over.”
Reality: Fresh starts can feel empowering, but they don’t need to erase everything you’ve done. Self-improvement doesn’t mean throwing away the person you already are. Growth happens in small, meaningful steps—not by scrapping everything and starting from scratch. Be kind to the current version of yourself and build from there.
3. Internet: “It’s not a diet; it’s a lifestyle change.”
Reality: Lifestyle changes that feel limiting, restrictive, or guilt-inducing often don’t last. Sustainable change happens when you add things to your life that increase joy, energy, and satisfaction—whether that’s more rest, activities you love, or foods that nourish both your body and soul.
4. Internet: “75 Days Hard.”
Reality: Extreme challenges like “75 Days Hard” often leave people feeling frustrated when life gets in the way. Instead of forcing yourself into rigid routines, embrace your multidimensional life. Progress happens in seasons—give yourself grace to adapt to what’s realistic for you.
5. Internet: “I started this new thing, and now I’m amazing at it.”
Reality: It’s okay to be bad at something when you’re starting out. Even better? It’s okay to still be bad at something and love doing it anyway! Joy isn’t reserved for the experts—let yourself enjoy the process, no matter how imperfect it looks.
6. Internet: “This year is going to change everything.”
Reality: Maybe this year will be transformational. Or maybe it will be one of rest, healing, or simply getting through it. Big, splashy moments don’t have to define a year’s worth. Even if this year doesn’t make your highlight reel, it can still hold meaning and growth.
Embracing the Reality of Growth
New Year’s resolutions often feed us a narrative of “better or bust,” but growth is a spectrum—not an all-or-nothing race. This year, instead of striving to fit a perfect mold, try asking:
- What small changes can add joy, rest, or energy to my life?
- How can I make room for hobbies and habits that feel authentic?
- Am I giving myself grace to grow at my own pace?
Your year doesn’t need to look Internet-worthy to matter. The best changes are the ones that make you feel more alive and aligned—not the ones that impress others.
Ready to Unpack More Food and Wellness Myths?
Check out our latest blog on Breaking Down ‘Good’ vs. ‘Bad’ Foods: A Non-Diet Take on Halloween Candy! It’s time to rethink labels and embrace a more compassionate approach to eating.
What Do You Think?
Have you fallen into any of these “internet vs. reality” traps? Share your thoughts in the comments or tag us in your journey—we’d love to hear from you!
An excerpt of your post will show up here. Wow! Inhale upward-facing dog balance exhale. The light within me create space stillness balance, ardha chandrasana feel the earth beneath you flow yoga nidra.
And excerpt of your post will show up here. Wow! Inhale upward-facing dog balance exhale. The light within me create space stillness balance, ardha chandrasana feel the earth beneath you flow yoga nidra.
Summer is a time of relaxation, adventure, and enjoying yourself. However, it can also bring up challenges related to body image and food relationships. This blog post will help you navigate these challenges through the principles of intuitive eating and body neutrality.
Understanding Intuitive Eating
Intuitive Eating is an evidence-based approach that encourages you to listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues, make peace with food, and reject the diet mentality. Unlike traditional diets that impose external rules, intuitive eating empowers you to trust your body and its innate wisdom. Here are the key principles of intuitive eating:
- Reject the Diet Mentality: Let go of dieting and the false promises of quick weight loss. Understand that diets often lead to weight cycling and increased feelings of shame around food.
- Honor Your Hunger: Respond to your biological hunger signals and nourish your body with the energy it needs.
- Make Peace with Food: Allow yourself to eat all types of food without guilt. This reduces the power food has over you and helps prevent bingeing.
- Challenge the Food Police: Challenge the critical voices in your head that judge your eating habits.
- Feel Your Fullness: Listen to your body’s signals for fullness.
- Discover the Satisfaction Factor: Find joy and satisfaction in eating.
- Honor Your Feelings Without Using Food: Find ways to cope with emotions outside of food. While some emotional eating is part of “normal” eating, it can be helpful to have more tools to ground yourself and ride the wave.
- Respect Your Body: Accept your genetic blueprint and understand that body diversity is natural.
- Exercise—Feel the Difference: Focus on how movement makes you feel rather than the calories it burns.
- Honor Your Health with Gentle Nutrition: Make food choices that honor your health and taste buds while making you feel good.
Embracing Body Neutrality
Body neutrality is about accepting your body as it is, without necessarily loving or hating it. It’s about recognizing that your worth is not tied to your appearance. Here’s how to practice body neutrality:
- Focus on Functionality: Appreciate what your body can do—whether it’s walking, dancing, or hugging a loved one.
- Wear Comfortable Clothing: Choose clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident, especially in the summer heat.
- Limit Body Checking: Avoid frequent weighing or scrutinizing your reflection in the mirror. This helps reduce negative self-talk.
- Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, especially on tough body image days.
- Curate Your Social Media: Follow accounts that promote body diversity and unfollow those that make you feel bad about your body.
Navigating Summer with Intuitive Eating and Body Neutrality
Summer can be a particularly challenging time for maintaining a positive relationship with food and your body. Here are some tips to help you navigate the season:
- Enjoy Seasonal Foods: Summer brings an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. Enjoy the flavors and textures of these seasonal delights without guilt.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially in the heat. Infuse your water with fruits like lemon, cucumber, or berries for a refreshing twist.
- Move Joyfully: Find activities that you enjoy, whether it’s swimming, hiking, or simply walking on the beach. Focus on how these activities make you feel rather than how they affect your appearance.
- Practice Mindful Eating: Take the time to savor your meals. Pay attention to the colors, smells, and flavors of your food. This helps you enjoy your food more and tune into your hunger and fullness cues.
- Respect Your Body’s Needs: Listen to your body’s signals and respond to them. If you’re tired, rest. If you’re hungry, eat. Trust that your body knows what it needs.
Sign Up for a Free Discovery Call
At Tap Into Nutrition, we’re here to support you on your journey to a healthier relationship with food and your body. Our compassionate, evidence-based approach can help you embrace intuitive eating and body neutrality this summer and beyond. Ready to take the next step? Sign up for a free discovery call with one of our expert dietitians. Visit our booking page to schedule your call today and start your journey towards a positive and empowering relationship with food.
Tap Into Nutrition: Your trusted dietitian in Michigan for intuitive eating and body neutrality.
An excerpt of your post will show up here. Wow! Inhale upward-facing dog balance exhale. The light within me create space stillness balance, ardha chandrasana feel the earth beneath you flow yoga nidra.
And excerpt of your post will show up here. Wow! Inhale upward-facing dog balance exhale. The light within me create space stillness balance, ardha chandrasana feel the earth beneath you flow yoga nidra.
The first step towards seeking help with your nutrition can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Food is personal and finding a dietitian can feel vulnerable. If you’ve been poking around websites or checking out RDs on social media, we want to help you take the next step! So here’s what to expect…
1. Free 15-Minute Discovery Call
Before diving into the nitty-gritty details, we want to get to know you and understand your unique needs and goals. That’s why we offer a complimentary 15-minute discovery call where we can chat about your concerns, answer any questions you may have, and determine if our approach aligns with what you’re looking for.
2. Initial Session: Getting to Know Each Other
Once you’ve had your discovery call and decide to move forward, we’ll schedule your initial session. This session is all about getting to know each other, establishing trust, and gathering information about your health history, dietary habits, lifestyle, and goals. We want to create a safe and supportive space where you feel comfortable sharing your story.
3. Follow-Up Sessions: Tailored Support Every Step of the Way
After our initial session, we’ll have follow-up sessions that fit your needs, preferences, and goals. We’ll explore gentle nutrition, intuitive eating practices, and your relationship with food and your body to help you develop a peaceful and more sustainable approach to eating and living.
We understand that nutrition is just one piece of the puzzle, and that’s why we’ll also explore other aspects of your life, such as stress management, sleep habits, movement, and mental health, to ensure that you’re thriving in all areas of your life.
Schedule you’re free discovery call!
Can’t wait to meet you!
If you’re looking for more support or trying to build your care team, check out this post on how to find care providers here.
An excerpt of your post will show up here. Wow! Inhale upward-facing dog balance exhale. The light within me create space stillness balance, ardha chandrasana feel the earth beneath you flow yoga nidra.
And excerpt of your post will show up here. Wow! Inhale upward-facing dog balance exhale. The light within me create space stillness balance, ardha chandrasana feel the earth beneath you flow yoga nidra.
Intuitive eating has been growing in popularity (yay!) and in conversations online. The strict black and white rules of what is or what is not intuitive eating are catchy for views and engagement…but they lack nuance, compassion, and understanding for individual needs. It can make intuitive eating feel a lot like a diet. Here’s a breakdown of the truth behind intuitive eating.
Embracing the Complexity of Hunger and Fullness Cues
Intuitive eating is not as simple as just eating when you’re hungry and stopping when you’re full. Hunger and fullness cues can be absent or difficult to interpret during recovery, illness, or if you’re not accustomed to sensing them. Even during these times of not being able to sense hunger and fullness as strongly, you still need to nourish your body.
Celebrating Individual Experience & Intuitive Eating
What we see on the internet isn’t always the full story. It can seem like if you don’t look a certain way or eat a certain way, then it’s wrong. There is not a singular “right” way or an exact approach to healing your relationship with food and your body. Honor your individual experiences, allow for flexibility, and recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to nourishing our bodies and minds.
Anti-Diet is not Anti-Dieter
Anti-diet is not about being anti-dieter. The truth about intuitive eating is it’s about creating a compassionate and inclusive space for everyone. We acknowledge that food is more than just nourishment. It’s intertwined with our emotions, experiences, cultural values, politics, and social stigmas. There are a lot of reasons why it’s so hard to let go of dieting and everyone’s journey looks different.
Beyond Physical Hunger
Nourish yourself beyond physical hunger. There are so many different reasons to eat, including practical hunger, gentle nutrition, and eating for pleasure. Practical hunger might look like eating lunch around 11:30 even if you’re not fully hungry yet if you have back to back meetings in the afternoon. Gentle nutrition might look like having a post-movement snack because you know that it’ll aid in your recovery. By broadening our perspective, we can cultivate a more balanced and fulfilling relationship with food.
Embracing Intuitive Eating Imperfections & Self-Compassion
It’s is not about perfection. Appetite, stress levels, activity, and life will all affect how your food choices look. You might think that being “too” full or having an imperfect relationship with food means you’re not good at intuitive eating. The truth about intuitive eating is that eating past comfortable fullness is not a failure. The journey is going to look different day to day. Offer yourself self-compassion and understanding because these moments hold no moral value and are very normal.
The way I view intuitive eating has changed a lot from when I first learned about it and the way I practice now. It will probably continue to change as I continue to learn, grow, and experience life. And that’s exactly the point. Embrace the complexities, honor individual experiences, and cultivate self-compassion to develop a healthier and more authentic relationship with food. Join our community, where you can tap into the joy of nourishing your body and embracing the wisdom it holds.
