What even is Intuitive Eating?
By Dr. Jenny Sokolowski, Psy.D.
Over the past few years, Intuitive Eating (IE) has become a buzzword across social media. A quick search will uncover endless “mindful and intuitive what I eat in a day” videos, along with clips misrepresenting IE as simply “eating whatever you want, whenever you want.” I’ve even seen people joke about choosing less nutritious foods and calling it “intuitive eating.”
But what does Intuitive Eating actually mean?
As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, I’ve worked with clients for years to implement IE principles. At its core, I view IE as a form of showing yourself care—a way to nourish your body with love, respect, and dignity. It’s about eating in a way that feels good for your physical and mental well-being while embracing flexibility, and recognizing that your needs and cravings can vary from day to day.
One of the first steps to eating intuitively is learning to tune into what your body is truly craving. Start by asking yourself questions like: What texture do I want? Hot or cold? Sweet, savory, or spicy? For instance, one morning, I noticed I was craving something crunchy, hot, and spicy. I chose eggs with hot sauce and sourdough toast with butter. This meal satisfied my physical hunger, and the protein and carbs gave me the energy to power through the morning.
Later that day, I walked past Levain Bakery, my favorite cookie shop, and felt a craving for a chocolate chip cookie. While it wasn’t the most nutrient-dense choice, food serves many roles beyond nutrition—it can bring joy, comfort, and satisfaction. I honored that mental craving, enjoyed the cookie, and moved on with my day, feeling nourished both physically and emotionally.
This is what intuitive eating is all about: learning to listen to your body and eating in a way that feels respectful and satisfying. In the above example, I was not only eating cookies or only eating “healthy” foods. I found a balance between listening to my cravings and eating in a way that fueled my body.
For many, this process can feel challenging at first. Diet culture has conditioned us to ignore or suppress our hunger cues, replacing them with rigid rules about what we “should” or “shouldn’t” eat. Breaking free from that mindset takes time and practice, but it’s worth the effort.
Later blog posts will further explain these concepts, break down the 10 Intuitive Eating principles, and give you concrete steps to introduce this form of eating into your life.
If you’re ready to reconnect with your body and take the first steps toward intuitive eating, I’m here to guide you on this journey. Together, we can create a more nourishing, flexible relationship with food—one that supports your whole self.
