Can you just eat whatever you want and still lose weight? Sure, it sounds like a recipe for disaster, but if done right, it can actually be a great way to eat healthier and slim down.
I came across this topic while browsing the news today and found this feature on USAToday.com that talks about the concept of “intuitive eating.” What is intuitive eating? Well, it is exactly what it sounds like – tuning into your appetite, eating when you’re hungry, and stopping when you’re full.
Let’s go into full detail on how this works to bring a healthier body and if it is the right option for you.
Can You Lose Weight Eating What You Want?
Intuitive eating is all about being more mindful of the needs of your body. With most forms of dieting, every food choice seems to be put into the category of “good food” or “bad food”. Rather than make those determinations, you instead listen to what your body is telling you. This can bring about a more positive relationship with food as you are more attentive to your body’s needs and feeding what (and how much) is 
good for it.
When you adopt intuitive eating, you are relearning what it is like to be hungry and be full. It is all about listening to the signals that your body is giving you and only eating when you are hungry, and stopping when you become full. Normally, you will continue to eat whatever you put on your plate and risk overeating. Instead, take your time with your meals and listen as your stomach and brain communicate to you that you’ve had enough. When you get that signal – stop eating.
According to Audrey Heist, a dietitian at AtlantiCare quoted in the linked article above, “It is a mindset about the experience of eating. It is an approach to eating in a healthy way as part of a balanced diet.”
When you start using this kind of dieting, you also rediscover the pleasures that come with food and learn the emotions that led you to overeat in the first place. However, don’t think that this means you can have a free-for-all and stuff your face with anything you want. It is still key to be eating nutrient-rich foods, just like with any diet to get to your ideal weight.
More or less, you are eating when you feel hungry and your body needs fuel. If you don’t have that hunger pang, then don’t eat just out of habit. A lot of people eat away their emotions (depression, most commonly) or eat out of boredom (who isn’t guilty of having a snack while sitting in front of the television). But before you reach for that bag of potato chips or that bowl of popcorn when turning on the TV, ask yourself – are you really hungry? Or is it just a habit to be munching on something?
Tips to Stick to Intuitive Eating
It can be a tough transition at first. It can be especially difficult when you’ve prepared a meal for the whole family and feel like you have to finish every bit of food that was prepared. Don’t give in. Eat your meal slowly and listen to your body. By eating at a slower pace, your body is able to comprehend how much food is in your stomach and send the signal up to your brain that you are full. Listen to that signal, and stop eating.
Another thing you can do to make yourself feel more full at a quicker pace is to drink a tall glass of water before the meal. I talk about this more in another post on this site.
In addition, if you find that you still have the hunger for a large meal that you know should be making you
fuller than you feel, consider taking diet pills to help curb your appetite. Obviously, given the name of this site, I have many recommendations on what ones work best for this. I would take a look at PhenQ (my top recommendation), as well as Phen24 which will help to curb your cravings so you are less likely to overeat.
Another tip – don’t be afraid to indulge yourself every once in a while. A single cheat meal now and then won’t make or break your diet. It is all about how consistently you stick to it in the long run that matters. So go ahead and splurge on a meal now and then, just don’t make it a habit. Perhaps you can schedule a cheat meal or two during the week, but don’t go beyond that. Plus, that gives you something to look forward to while you’re otherwise disciplined throughout the week.
Testimonials
Even famed Hollywood actress Kathy Bates has gotten in on the intuitive eating trend, as she is quoted in the Us Weekly as saying “My niece told me this little secret — I guess it’s no secret, it’s a biological thing — that at some point when you’re eating, you have this involuntary sigh and that’s really your brain and your stomach communicating that you’ve had enough. The trick is to pay attention to that and push your plate away”
I couldn’t put it any more succinctly than that. Listen to your body, and when you’re full, you’re full! You really can eat whatever you want, it is all about not overeating. Eat only what your body needs, rather than what you want, and you will be on your way to weight loss (keeping in mind that you should make an effort to make healthy choices on what you eat).
About Shaun Hudson
Shaun Hudson loves sports, being outdoors, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. After many unsuccessful attempts to lose weight, he finally was able to drop 25 pounds and keep it off. The secret? He kept a journal of his activity, diet, and daily life. That journal changed his life, and has since evolved into this website. Read his full bio.