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We've been thinking a lot lately about intuitive eating and whether it really is for everyone. There's so much confusion and misinformation out there, and we wanted to take a moment to cut through some of that. 

At its heart, Intuitive eating isn't a diet, a religion, or a set of rigid rules to follow — it's a flexible framework designed to help you find freedom and peace around food. 

The more we work with different clients, the more we believe that almost everyone can find an entry point into it, regardless of where they're starting from. Whether you're recovering from disordered eating, navigating a busy family life, working within a tight budget, or simply trying to untangle years of diet culture messaging — there is something here for you. These are our key takeaways from that conversation.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Intuitive eating is a flexible framework, not a set of rules. A major source of confusion is people treating it as either a "hunger and fullness diet" or a free pass to eat whatever you want at all times. In reality, it's a guide with 10 different focus areas that can be adapted to your individual circumstances and needs.
2. Some principles may not be accessible to everyone right now — and that's okay. People recovering from eating disorders, those who are neurodivergent, or those with limited food access may find certain aspects harder to engage with. The key is to work with the principles that are available to you and park the others for later.
3. Structure and intuitive eating can coexist. You don't have to eat only when hunger strikes to be an intuitive eater. Having a loose meal schedule (especially helpful for ADHD brains that forget to eat) is entirely compatible — the intuitive part comes in making choices within that structure.
4. Joyful movement follows the same logic. The movement principle isn't about doing minimal exercise or punishing yourself — it's about regularly asking yourself why you're moving and how you want to feel. This is accessible to everyone, regardless of ability or fitness level.
5. Intuitive eating is not a weight loss tool. Your body has a natural set point range, and eating intuitively means allowing it to settle where it functions best — which may not align with cultural ideals. The goal is freedom around food and self-compassion, not a specific body size.

So, don't dismiss it or give up on it, rather, explore where your entry point to intuitive eating might be and start there!

Things we mentioned in the episode:

Sandra Aamodt Ted Talk on set point theory: Why Dieting Doesn't Work https://youtu.be/jn0Ygp7pMbA?si=Lm6yBsFplo1L1M2Q

Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch - Intuitive Eating book and worksbook https://www.intuitiveeating.org/our-books/

Support the show

Please reach out if you would like some support with your relationship to food OR movement. Ela currently has limited spaces for Intuitive Eating coaching and if you'd like to reconnect with movement, contact Christine.  If you'd like exclusive access to our supporter-only channel click here.

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