Book Review: Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch
We are born with intuitive eating instincts. For example, as infants our initial discovery that our cry can cue food allows us to begin voicing our hunger. Throughout our lives our natural instincts are often quieted by social pressures through background noise. We internalize so much of what society says “you must finish everything on your plate” or “you shouldn’t eat that because it will make you fat.” Thankfully, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch published the book “Intuitive Eating” and with that they really revolutionized how we relate to eating. In this book, there are 10 principles of intuitive eating beautifully outlined. The ten principles of intuitive eating go back to the basics and remind us of the importance of listening to our bodies, specifically emphasizing honoring our hunger by making peace with food and giving ourselves permission to enjoy food, rather than falling into the cycle of restriction and binges.
I remember a while back a friend and I had gone to one of our favorite restaurants. We had a long day of studying ahead, so I wanted to “fuel” my body with a nutritious salad, even though in the back of my mind I really wanted a shake and fries. Trying to focus on studying, I was distracted by every delivery of a chocolate shake walking by. I finally gave myself permission and ordered a shake and fries, knowing this should have been my initial plan all along. This is precisely what Intuitive Eating is all about and highlights the need for one of my favorite principles:
Give yourself permission to eat what your body and mind may be asking for!
If I had initially listened to what I wanted I would have saved money, time, and lost focus. In the end I learned that meeting both my nutritional and emotional needs helps to stay focused on things outside of food. In this case I was a lot more engaged in my studies after ordering my second round!
If you have ever been in a similar “should I get a salad or a burger” situation, reading Intuitive Eating is a great resource for you! When it comes to what you should and should not eat, there is no right or wrong answer. It is a matter of becoming in tune with what both your body and soul is saying. Intuitive Eating is a wonderful model and resource that guides readers down a path of self-discovery, creating a sustainable, enjoyable relationship between food and body.
Miranda Villareal, Dietetic Intern