Hi Somatic Squad!
I'm Dr Kim,
A holistic chiropractor and online back pain coach.
I was on a call with a client today and I was coaching him through the concept of intuitive eating.
Afterwards I felt inspired to share this concept with you too.
As a holistic pain coach,
I often see how interconnected our eating habits are with our overall well-being,
Especially when it comes to healing from pain.
You can do all the exercises you want,
But if you are eating foods in quantities that don't support your body,
You cannot heal completely.
So what exactly is intuitive eating?
Imagine a way of eating where you listen to your body's natural hunger cues and fullness cues,
Rather than following restrictive diets or external rules.
It's about reconnecting with your body's innate wisdom and trusting it to guide you in making nourishing food choices.
I know you're thinking,
Easier said than done,
And trust me,
I get it.
I grew up in Australia eating a diet of white bread Vegemite sandwiches,
Fries,
Glasses of milk,
And Maccas.
To the rest of the world,
Maccas means McDonald's.
This sort of diet was what I was programmed to eat and it's all I knew.
It's only when I started getting sick that I started to pay attention to my body and what it needed.
I researched for many years about what was good and bad to eat and it was very confusing.
There are so many conflicting studies out there.
One year,
Eggs are good.
The next year,
Eggs are bad.
I then decided to put more focus on the way my body felt rather than eat based off research papers.
I realised that I felt inflamed and sluggish when I ate gluten.
It also caused me to break out and get puffy in my face.
I noticed that whenever I ate dairy,
Mucus would form in my throat.
Kimchi,
Although delicious and supposedly very good for you,
Made me constipated.
It took years of trial and error but it was all worth it because now I am so in tune with my body.
I am so confident in choosing the right foods that will make me feel energised,
Full and vibrant.
Now let's talk about the benefits.
First,
Intuitive eating can significantly improve your physical health.
By eating in response to your body's signals,
You can better meet your nutritional needs which supports healing processes and reduces inflammation and pain.
It's like giving your body the exact fuel it needs to thrive.
But it's not just about your physical health.
Intuitive eating also enhances your mental well-being.
It helps you develop a healthier relationship with food,
Reducing stress and anxiety around eating.
Imagine feeling more relaxed and at peace with your food choices.
This leads to an improved mental clarity and emotional balance.
One of the best parts about intuitive eating is that it promotes sustainable habits.
Unlike fad diets that come and go,
Intuitive eating encourages long-term sustainable eating patterns tailored to your unique needs and preferences.
It's a lifestyle change that sticks.
As you practice intuitive eating,
You'll become more attuned to your body's signals.
This heightened body awareness can help you identify and address other health issues more effectively.
It's like having a deeper conversation with your body,
Understanding its needs and responding with care.
So how do you start practicing intuitive eating?
Begin by letting go of the diet mentality.
Let go of the idea that you need to follow strict diets to be healthy.
Also,
Be very careful of who you listen to and take advice from.
What works for one person may not work for you.
Trust that your body knows what it needs.
I check in with my body every day and I ask it questions.
For example,
When I wake up I ask myself,
What does my body need right now?
Some days I feel like eating eggs,
Other times I want oatmeal and some days I don't want to eat anything at all,
I just want a tea.
Make peace with food.
Allow yourself to enjoy all types of food except the ones that make you feel sick of course.
One of my favorite things to do is travel to new countries and try the local dishes.
I actually just went to Rome.
I thought it would be challenging to find gluten-free and dairy-free meals there but it was actually really easy.
All I had to do was ask and the food was absolutely delicious.
Next,
Respect your fullness by paying attention to your body's signals.
Overeating makes me feel heavy,
Sluggish and sleepy.
I don't like this at all.
You have to trust in your body.
It will tell you when it's had enough.
You just need to stop and listen to it.
During meals I will ask myself,
Are you full?
If I am,
I pack away the leftovers for tomorrow.
Simple as that.
Discover the satisfaction in eating.
Choose foods that you enjoy and that make you feel good.
Eating should be a joyful experience,
Not a stressful one.
I know that oftentimes your emotions can affect your eating habits.
I know I'm not the only one to eat a whole tub of dairy-free ice cream when I feel sad.
I get it but be honest with yourself.
You feel worse afterwards.
You can honour your feelings without using food.
Address your emotions in ways that don't involve eating like practicing mindfulness or meditation.
This in itself is a whole other topic for another day.
Overall,
Learn to honour your health by making food choices that make you feel good.
Take this example.
If you ask a child whether they should give their dog coke or water,
They will immediately answer water.
You ask why?
And they say because coke isn't good for them.
My point is that you know what is good or bad for you.
If a child knows that coke isn't good for a dog,
Why on earth would you feed it to yourself or your children?
Remember,
It's about progress,
Not perfection.
Intuitive eating is an inner journey of self-discovery and self-care.
Honestly,
It has taken me 10 or more years to reach this point of where I'm at.
The result was well worth it though because in my 30s,
I am now healthier,
More vibrant and feel so much more freedom in my life.
Your body is your greatest ally in this journey.
Trust it,
Nourish it and it will guide you towards a better life.
Do you eat intuitively?
Please review this track and leave a comment with your answer.
I would love to know.
I'm Dr.
Kim.
You can check out my other talks and meditations on Insight Timer.
Make sure to give me a follow so you can also be updated on my live events.
Happy healing and have a wonderful day!
