By: Clove Morgan
You know the feeling. When a very hyper-specific craving hits at an odd time of the day, like an itch, you can’t quite scratch because nothing you have at the moment measures up to what you truly want. Not to get too niche, but for some reason, in my freshman year of college, I would crave the red peppers from Rainforest Café’s Spicy Korean Stir Fry (trust me, if you know, you know). That’s just one example of an extremely specific want, but you get the idea–no craving has a limit.
I always thought I had to earn my favorite foods. As though there was some cosmic force dictating what I decided to have for a snack that day, I wouldn’t let myself have what I truly wanted, whether it was healthy or not. I had to finish my homework or do the dishes or clean my room or hang out with my friends first. Then, of course, there is a mountain of magazines and an infinite amount of diets to scroll through on social media telling you how and what to eat. A lot of girls and women alike have fallen into the trap of yo-yo dieting, going on and off over the years, or even innocently trying to better themselves and their health. There’s nothing inherently wrong with dieting, but I have come to believe that eating based on your intuition is the best way to feel your best.
I discovered intuitive eating when going down the infamous rabbit hole of “What I Eat In A Day” TikToks. I was trying to find new vegan and vegetarian options to try out in an attempt to broaden my palette. However, I came across a creator’s video where they described their approach to meals as eating intuitively–essentially preparing their food with the intention of satisfying themselves with the taste as well as the nutrition. When I heard that, I thought, “Isn’t that just everyone’s approach to food?” It most certainly wasn’t mine, which I realized soon after, but a lot of people actually don’t follow their instincts when it comes to food.
Whether it be financial, dietary restrictions, or a poor relationship with food/body image, some are unable to eat intuitively. If you’re willing to take the steps to heal your relationship with food or learn to care for your body in a new way, let me help guide you through the steps of intuitive eating.
First, you have to understand that eating intuitively isn’t just eating whatever you want. You will want to consider the different benefits of a certain food–that includes the taste and overall satisfaction. You want to hit the major food groups for vitamins and whatnot, but make sure it's a pleasurable experience too. Food is meant to be enjoyed, not dreaded. For example, say you’re making lunch, and you really want the crunch of leafy greens, but you’re in the mood for something sweet. You could have a salad and a cookie at the same time; there is no rule telling you that you can’t! The beauty of intuitive eating is getting to make your own rules, and if your choice is to not have any, then that’s perfectly fine too.
It isn’t easy to get used to. In fact, I’m still getting used to it myself. You have to be able to make exceptions and live guilt-free when it comes to your physical and mental health, which applies to intuitive eating. Identifying a craving versus a want can be tricky; I think the best way to distinguish the two is by asking yourself what exactly about the food will benefit you. It can be as simple as “It makes me happy” or as necessary as “It contains a lot of protein that will get me through the day.” By introducing this thought process, you will learn the different strengths a food may pose to you. Never underestimate happiness as a justification for eating. Personally, I can’t get through the day without a little sweet treat.
Intuitive eating also has heavily to do with hunger cues. The next step is learning how to listen to your body along with your mind. If you’re feeling hunger pangs or hear your stomach growling, that’s a surefire sign that you should have something to eat. Our bodies are even more complex from there, though. If you get lightheaded or are feeling weak, you need to make sure you’re getting enough iron and protein throughout the day. Maybe you’re tired and need a pick-me-up of caffeine around noon to push you through the final hours of the workday. Paying attention to your body and its signals will not only boost your energy but naturally balance your relationship with food.
It seems silly that we don’t naturally follow our instincts when it comes to food, right? But a lot of us were taught to think otherwise. Social media, magazines, and even conversations at our own dinner tables may have led us to believe that the goal of food is to look the best you can, not feel. Food is about feeling, though, it’s about nourishment and giving yourself the best care that you can. So have your childhood favorite soup, eat a salad filled with colors, have that slice of birthday cake, and buy yourself a six-dollar latte if that’s what makes your day the happiest and healthiest it can be. Make each day, and each meal, about you.
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