- The antidote to dieting is to become an attuned eater (also known as intuitive eating). There are three steps to attuned eating:
- 1) Eating when you’re physically hungry
- 2) Eating what you’re hungry for (choosing from a wide variety of foods)
- 3) Stopping when you’re satisfied/full
- I want to bring to your attention a common misinterpretation of step two. When I talk about eating what you’re hungry for, I frequently refer to it as making the match. In other words, your task is to really think about what will feel just right in your body. Sure, it should taste good to you, but even more important is the way your body will feel when you’re finished eating.
- I’ve recently heard from several people who practice attuned eating, that they frequently ask the question, “What do I want to eat?” This question does not necessarily take into account your physical cues of hunger, even if you’re hungry! Instead, it has more to do with what might sound good for all kinds of reasons, but without attaching it to internal, physical signals. As a result, sometimes they find that the food(s) they’ve chosen don’t really feel so good in their body.
So, here is my match point: Asking yourself, “What do I want to eat?” is a very different question than asking yourself, “What am I hungry for?” Before you even look to see what’s available in your kitchen cabinets or on the restaurant menu, take a moment to [private_membership circle]check in with yourself – and your body – and decide what will truly satisfy you. Is it something hot or cold? Mushy or crunchy? Spicy or bland? Protein, carbohydrate of fat? What will give you the feeling you want in your body as you eat – as well as 10, 20 or 30 minutes later? Then see what’s available and get as close as you can in choosing what to eat.
It may take some practice, but it’s worth the satisfaction that comes from making a match that truly nourishes you both physically and emotionally!
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Eat well! Live well! Be well! Judith Matz and Ellen Frankel, are co-authors of The Diet Survivor’s Handbook, Beyond a Shadow of a Diet www.dietsurvivors.com Chicago Center for Overcoming Overeating: 847.267.1200
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