Respect your body!
This is a “basic” premise of what we call intuitive eating, which is nothing more than an approach that prioritizes the subject in tune with his body, his mind, his emotions and his food. We also see here a way of knowing yourself based on intuition about food, listening to your own body and physiology, bringing greater perception of yourself and your feeling. It is an “anti-restrictive diet” proposal that allows us to see ourselves with more delicacy and compassion. Intuitive eating is about SELF-CARE!
To understand the “call” of our organism, you don't need to have a degree in Medicine or Nutrition, nor have you taken courses in Ayurveda or Chinese Medicine — although I believe it is worthwhile to gain knowledge. In fact, there is a natural, latent intelligence that cries out to be heard with the ears of intuition. Listening to the body is an exercise, or rather an ancient wisdom, which has been forgotten in Western culture. We need to rescue this “language” to make peace with our body and with ourselves.
The resources available to our organism for this are divinely extraordinary. It has the ability to give us alerts of what, when and what to do. Intrinsically, the body wisely dictates the amount and type of food necessary to be ingested to keep itself in harmony, in good and perfect functioning.
We cannot deny that sociocultural, psychological, historical and genetic influences strongly contribute to the way we eat. I could be wrong, but I hallucinate when I say that the so-called “beauty standard” is a primary factor in all this illness, that we were forced to forget our basic premises: what it is and the importance of vital energy, body listening, body reading and recognition of emotions. Freeing yourself from this bondage is like a summons to your best version!
Let's go the tips for you to reconnect with you?
- Food has never been and will never be your enemy! Understand food as your source of vital energy, as it is the fuel of your physical and mental body. Letting go of the sense of what is allowed and what is forbidden is ideal so you can make peace with food and your body;
- Notice the signs of hunger. You know that feeling of "empty stomach"?! Well, this is a signal from your body asking for energy to keep working in the best and highest way. Listen up!;
- Your emotions don't want food, they want understanding. In the same way that beer is not a medicine, sugar is not a comfort. So seek therapeutic help to develop emotional intelligence;
- All food is food! There are health-generating foods and disease-generating foods, we know that. Don't blame yourself for eating fast food or overindulging in a family dinner! Enjoy the moment with awareness to avoid exaggerations and future compulsions. The day does not end today, there is tomorrow;
- Mindful eating can feel agonizing in the early days, common in any habit building. To make it easier, ritualize your meals, for example: setting the table, saying a prayer, etc.;
- Honor your health by being kind to yourself. In a society that denies the “I”, which “feeds” on our insecurities, loving and being true is, in fact, a revolutionary act! Believe it!
You might also like:
- How to eat intuitively and consciously
- Watch out for signs of eating disorders
- Analyze what your desire to eat is saying
- Check out 5 reasons to eat seasonal foods
I hope this article can contribute and provide reflection, comfort and courage for you to reframe your eating behavior pattern. May you be open to learning a new look and understanding the real meaning of food.
